You don’t have to go to New England to enjoy fall color – autumn in Loomis can be quite spec-tacular, too.

A palette of fiery oranges, brilliant yellows and smoldering reds adorn local nursery trees and plants, inviting admirers to cart them home.

A visit to the Flower Farm Nursery, on the corner of Horseshoe Bar and Auburn Folsom Roads, turns up many choices for fall color. According to co-owner Sheri Fischer, now is the best time to plant showy plants for next year. Shopping while the plants are still in leaf, Fischer said, al-lows buyers to see exactly what they’ll get.

Lynn Richard, a Flower Farm staff member, explained why planting in November will give gar-deners a leg up.

“We’re a ways away from hard freezes. The shorter daylight helps plants establish a good root system,” Richard said.

Richard advises gardeners to fertilize now for spring buds and blooms, but only use a fertilizer without nitrogen, a 0-10-10 formula, so as not to encourage leaf growth.

Tom Baker, owner of Bakers Nursery on Taylor Road, said he just received several flats of win-ter vegetables and flowers, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, salad mix, and two types of onions. He said they also carry a colorful variety of pansies and violas for fall, winter and spring blooming.

Japanese maples by the hundreds are setting High-Hand Nursery on Taylor Road aglow.

“We have 20 different varieties in quart to 90-gallon sizes,” said Lyn Bristol, High-Hand Nursery manager.

Bristol explained that cold nights and decreasing daylight signal the maples that it’s time for Mother Nature’s colorful show.

Come in, stroll around and enjoy the multi-hued leaves before they’re gone, Bristol advised.