Fall into a Sustainable Autumn

As Summer wraps up and we head into Fall, let us take a moment to look back and reflect on all of the moments we enjoyed with friends and family. Summer is a beautiful time, full of an abundance of growth and many shared memories. But Fall has the potential to implement routines, and it encourages us to look at all of the ways that seasons serve a purpose.

We watch the trees change, and we welcome the crisp weather that is sure to come. On Fridays, we are under the lights, cheering on our hometown team, and on Saturdays, we tune in to watch our local college squad. We pack bookbags and set new alarms. We have a future mindset as we coast into what this new season will bring.

By preparing our yard and our home for the Fall season, we are creating an opportunity to gracefully slide from one season to another. Here are a few simple ways to prepare for Fall:

1. Start composting. Fall is a wonderful time to get your compost bin going, because the leaves (plant matter) are in abundance. Don’t let the word “compost” be intimidating to you; composting actual requires minimal effort. All you need is brown matter and green matter. A great resource for more tips on composting can be found at the link at Anne of All Trades.

2. Close down the garden. When your last piece of fruit is ready to harvest, it’s time to take a close look at your garden. I like to take an in depth look at what did and didn’t work for my greenhouse. By doing so, it allows me to see what changes need to be made for the following Spring. Pulling all Summer plants and composting them, tilling up the soil in each garden bed and creating a fresh landscape for the next growing season, are all good ways to prepare your growing space.

3. Yard clean-up. Fall is a great time to walk your property and see what types of things are amiss. If you have kids, there might be hidden toys or objects that need to be put away and stored until next Spring. Weeds will need to be pulled and repairing any damaged spots in the lawn or troublesome areas can be tended to.

4. Bring a little Fall inside. Shopping at your local nursery for indoor plants that are hearty and will last all Winter is a fun little weekend project. I love a good Fall centerpiece for the kitchen table. Buying mums and outdoor Fall plants to spruce up your curb appeal is an added bonus.

5. Shop discounted gardening items. There’s nothing like an end of season sale, especially when you can add to your garden collection for the following growing season. Tools, aprons, gardening gloves, pots and seeds tend to be heavily discounted as we approach Fall. Don’t forget to check out your local stores for ways to save on gardening essentials!

There is so much beauty in recognizing the purpose that each season serves. As we continue to transition from Summer to Fall, allow the leaves and colorful trees to be the backdrop as you look out your window. There is a lot to learn from the season behind us and so much to look forward to in the season to come.

There’s a lot of power in looking ahead, but also in reflecting on where we’ve been. Summer was so good to us, but Fall has a lot to offer.