5 Ways to be More Sustainable This Fall Season
Once fall arrives, it feels like things start to ramp up with tons of holiday gatherings right around the corner. It’s a time we tend to be indoors more, shop more and more waste can occur. Spring and summer are undeniably “easier” times of the year to be sustainable, between enjoying time in our gardens, composting, and eating more locally grown food. It can be especially difficult to keep up your sustainable living if you live in a climate where the winter means snow and freezing temperatures. All of this to say, though it may be harder, it’s not impossible! Here are 5 of my favourite ways to be more sustainable this fall season.
1. Decor: Firstly – reuse what you already have! Many of us already have decor in our collection, and the most sustainable thing you can do with those pieces is continue to use them instead of buying new! Use natural pumpkins. One of my favourite things to do is bake with them come November. We grow our Moranga variety on the pumpkin arch but I use them as decor for a couple of months! In addition to using real, natural pumpkins, decorate with fresh flowers from a local farm (dahlias are in season until the first frost date) or dried florals in vases. Some of my favourite dried florals are hydrangeas, various grasses, and strawflowers, and many of these dried florals can be found at local markets. If you don’t have the space or time to grow & dry them yourself, support a local farmer or at a fall craft market (I must note, be aware of dried florals online that are sprayed with toxins!). Lastly, if you’re shopping for candles, choose beeswax candles if possible.
2. Cook Seasonally: Though there is less in season as we inch closer to winter, there is still a variety of delicious foods that are in season. Cook with apples, pumpkins, winter squash, potatoes, turnips, brassicas, and carrots – all of those are fall seasonal produce!
3. Quick-Pickle or Can: If you’re worried that you won’t be able to finish all of your goodies from the garden, quick-pickling and canning are great options. In fact, let’s prevent food waste together! Check out my recipes for quick-pickling. I typically do beans, cucumbers, radishes and onions this time of year.
4. Shop Secondhand: Secondhand September is a real thing (though it has come and gone), and this is the time to purchase clothes, household goods, decor and more secondhand. Get out of your comfort zone and head to a thrift store – you may be surprised what you will find! If you don’t find you’re having much success, don’t give up – the key to successful thrifting is to go often.
5. Plant a garden!: Believe it or not, but in October you can still plant a garden! It just depends where you are in the world, and what your garden zone is (if you don’t already know this, I highly recommend starting here!). Depending on your zone, planting in the fall may actually be better than summer time for heat waves and pests. Check out my garden guide or e-book to grow your own food.
Bonus: Being more sustainable this Thanksgiving!: For those of us in Canada, Thanksgiving is in early October, meaning we’re coming up on it very soon! If you’re looking for some quick and simple ways that you can be more sustainable during the Thanksgiving holiday, here are my recommendations:
Use real glasses & plates instead of plastic.
No plastic decor such as wreaths and leaves – you can easily find real, dried wreaths, or you can dip natural leaves like maples in beeswax wraps to enjoy year after year.
Decorate with Nature! Use real pumpkins, gourds & dried flowers instead of faux ones.
Purchase sustainable wine (choose organic or wines with sustainability awards or recognitions)
Support a local farmer with your produce, this helps you eat seasonally and it’s tastier!
If you want fresh flowers, skip the grocery store and support a local farmer instead. They often take pride in their sustainable farming and unsprayed techniques to ensure a healthy Thanksgiving.
I hope this blog inspired you to continue your sustainability efforts throughout the fall and even into the winter months! Let me know what your favourite tip or trick is in the comments below!
* Note: Some links featured in the above post are commissionable/affiliate links. Cover image by Lyndsey Eden.