Embrace Autumn: Sustainable Garden Tasks for Fall

As the crisp air arrives and the vibrant fall colors transform the landscape, it's the perfect time to turn your attention to the garden. Fall isn't just about winding down; it’s an opportunity to prepare your garden for the cooler months while setting the stage for a vibrant, healthy spring. Follow these sustainable garden tasks to keep your outdoor space thriving, all while protecting the environment.

1. Leave the Leaves

One of the simplest and most impactful ways to support sustainability in your garden is by leaving fallen leaves where they land. While it might be tempting to rake them all up and bag them, those leaves are a vital part of your garden's ecosystem. As they break down, leaves provide a natural mulch that nourishes the soil, retains moisture, and helps suppress weeds. Plus, they offer a habitat for insects and small creatures during the colder months. Many pollinators, like butterflies and bees, use leaf litter as a place to shelter or lay eggs, while birds forage through the leaves for food.

Tip: If you prefer a tidier lawn, rake leaves onto garden beds or into discreet, designated areas rather than disposing of them.

2. Mulching for Winter Protection

Mulching is an essential fall task that helps insulate the soil, conserve moisture, and reduce weeds. Use organic materials like leaves, straw, or compost to create a nutrient-rich blanket. In addition to protecting your garden from temperature fluctuations, mulching also improves soil structure and encourages healthy earthworm activity, which enhances soil health naturally.

Tip: Use the fallen leaves that you are saving as mulch. It’s an excellent way to recycle organic matter and add a layer of protection.

3. Planting for the Future

Fall is the ideal time for planting spring bulbs and perennials. Cooler temperatures and increased rainfall provide perfect growing conditions for plants to establish strong root systems. In the Cowichan Valley, consider planting native species that thrive in our coastal climate, such as camas, oregon grape, or native

grasses. These plants not only add beauty to your garden but also support local wildlife.

Tip: Return your plastic pots to the Old Farm Garden Centre when you are done your planting, this allows them to be reused and creates less waste. Bonus tip: All perennials, trees and shrubs are 40% off this month.

4. Composting: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

With plenty of leaves, spent plants, and grass clippings available, fall is a prime time to bolster your compost pile. Composting reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and helps recycle plant material back into your garden. Be sure to add a mix of green (fresh plant material) and brown (dried leaves, twigs) matter to maintain balance in your compost.

Tip: Avoid adding diseased plants or weed seeds to your compost pile to prevent problems in the future. If you don’t already compost, consider starting with a small bin that can sit in your yard or patio.

5. Preparing Beds for Spring

Once you’ve harvested the last of your summer vegetables and flowers, it’s time to clean up your garden beds. However, instead of pulling everything out, leave some plants like beans, peas, and wildflowers to decompose naturally. This adds organic matter to the soil and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and ground beetles. Now is also a great time to add in ammendments such as compost, worm castings and wool pellets to your soil. When choosing to use organic practices, having a strong foundation of healthy soil is key.

Tip: Consider cover cropping to protect bare soil. Plants like clover, or winter rye help prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and add nutrients to the soil.

6. Saving Seeds for Next Season

Seed saving is a sustainable practice that allows you to preserve heirloom varieties and reduce your reliance on store-bought seeds. Focus on easy-to-save seeds like beans, tomatoes, and pumpkins or cosmos, zinnias and marigolds. Make sure the seeds are fully mature and thoroughly dried before storing them in a cool, dry place for next spring.

Tip: Join us for our Community Day on October 24th for our seed saving discussion.

7. Support Local Wildlife

As temperatures drop, local wildlife may be looking for shelter and food sources. Leaving leaves and some seed

heads standing can provide food for birds and insects while creating safe hiding places for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Tip: Build an "insect hotel" by creating a small brush pile with fallen branches and leaves to create a habitat for beneficial insects, and birds.

Taking a sustainable approach to your fall garden tasks not only nurtures your plants and soil but also helps you connect more deeply with the natural rhythm of the seasons. By working in harmony with nature, you’re creating a thriving ecosystem that will reward you year after year.