The Fall Five: Still a Time For Living Green

The magic of fall…wood piles and wood smoke, golden days and chilly evenings, it’s my favorite time of year, and October my favorite month. And if you asked me why, I’d say it’s a combination of things. The welcome relief of cooler temperatures after a long, hot summer, the brilliant colors of the leaves, the crackle of a cozy fire, hayrides in the country, pumpkin carving, evening shadows, and the harvest moon.

A friend recently told me she’s trying harder to live “green” but that she finds it difficult once spring and summer are over. Her concern made me think…how do I transition to “green” once the growing season is over? The farmers’ market on the town square is closed for the season and my garden has been put to bed for winter…what else can I do? I wanted to make sure I was doing more than composting and using canvas shopping bags over plastic.

My friend and I spent over an hour chatting, and it turns out we discovered most of us are doing more than we think we are. We brainstormed, made lists, and bounced ideas back and forth…here are what we called The Fall Five.

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Photo Credit: Mary Murray

1. Use nature’s bounty when decorating for the season…

Pumpkins, gourds, leaves, bittersweet, pine cones, acorns, fall flowers, and broom corn make terrific centerpieces. And the best part is they’ll compost naturally…never ending up in a landfill.

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Photo Credit: Mary Murray

2. Look for a winter farmers’ market…

We’re fortunate that our small town has a great shop off the square that offers a variety of foods grown and baked locally. Homemade pies, cookies, breads, honey, jams, root vegetables, lettuce, and winter squash are a few of the seasonal, local foods available now. Buying local not only supports the farms in the community, but when our food travels such a short distance, it's fresher and results in fewer emissions.

3. Forget the leaf blower…use a rake!

I understand…leaf blowers are convenient and quick, and when time is short, they do the job of corralling leaves faster than raking. However; raking leaves not only gives me a little workout, it’s a family affair. Yes, sometimes those piles get jumped in, but that’s the fun of it! Leaves can then be spread on the garden and in flowerbeds to breakdown over winter, or they can be added to the compost pile. For us, our goats enjoy most of our dry leaves (maple only, never oak or wild cherry…they’re toxic to goats). A treat they look forward to and we have plenty to share.

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Photo Credit: Mary Murray

4. Walk, bike, hike!

Autumn is a magical time to get outside…walk and hike nearby trails or bike along the country roads. Invite a friend to come along, or unplug and enjoy some quiet time. No exhaust and no emissions. Bring along a picnic…there’s no better time to enjoy the glorious colors that are found in this perfect sweater weather.

5. Cozy candlelight…

When the days become shorter, I love the coziness of candlelight. I eagerly look for the seasonal scents on the market…pumpkin, maple, balsam, but looking for greener choices mean now I look for candles made from beeswax. Not only do I love the aroma, they burn cleanly, and I feel better knowing I’m supporting local beekeepers.

Yes, while it’s summer’s end, it’s the beginning of autumn’s glory. Enjoy every minute savoring the sights, sounds, and aromas that mark this new season…all while “staying green.”

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