There’s something magical about September in Canada. The crisp morning air, the leaves just beginning to turn golden, and the gentle reminder that winter is coming. Fall is a season of transition, reflection, and preparation.
And if you’re living more sustainably (or trying to), fall is a golden opportunity to align your habits with nature’s rhythm. This time of year offers a beautiful chance to reduce waste, build community, and nourish both your body and the planet.
Here’s how you can prepare for fall the eco-friendly way; starting in your garden, your closet, and your kitchen.
1. The Fall Garden: Nurturing the Soil for Spring
Whether you grew herbs on a balcony or had a sprawling backyard veggie patch, your garden deserves some attention before the frost hits.
Harvest the Last of the Bounty
First things first: don’t let anything go to waste. Tomatoes that aren’t ripening on the vine? Bring them inside to ripen in a paper bag or make green tomato chutney. Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary can be cut and either hung to dry or frozen in olive oil in ice cube trays.
Even the smallest harvest is worth celebrating. It’s a reminder of how close we really are to our food when we grow it ourselves.
Plant a Cover Crop or Mulch Your Beds
Instead of letting your garden sit bare all winter, plant a cover crop (if you are in a zone that can accomodate this) like clover or winter rye to protect and nourish the soil. These crops prevent erosion and add nutrients back into the ground something your spring seedlings will thank you for.
If cover crops aren’t possible, mulch your beds with leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper. This keeps the soil cozy through the long Canadian winter and provides shelter for overwintering pollinators and microorganisms.
Leave Some Debris for Wildlife
It’s tempting to clean everything up in a tidy sweep, but consider leaving some stems, seed heads, and leaf piles. Native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects often rely on these spaces to hibernate. By leaving parts of your garden “messy,” you’re offering safe haven to the very creatures that help your garden thrive come spring.
2. Clothing Swaps & Wardrobe Rotations: Style Meets Sustainability
As the temperature drops, our wardrobes change. But before you rush out to buy new boots or jackets... pause. Fall fashion can be a gateway to deeper sustainability and connection.
Why Clothing Swaps Matter
The average Canadian tosses away about 37 kilograms of textiles per year. Much of this ends up in landfills, but it doesn’t have to.
Hosting or attending a clothing swap is a powerful, low-waste way to update your closet, keep items in circulation, and build community.
You can:
Host one with friends, co-workers, or neighbours
Set up a “swap bin” at work or school
Check for local community swaps in your area
Clothing swaps aren’t just about fashion, they’re about storytelling and creating community. That cozy sweater you fall in love with? It already has a history, and now it becomes part of yours.
Rotating and Refreshing Your Wardrobe
Even if you’re not ready to swap, rotating your closet each season is an intentional way to reduce overconsumption.
Here’s how to do it sustainably:
Pull out your fall/winter clothes and assess what you already have
Mend items that need repairs before they get worse
Donate only what you know won’t be worn and try giving to shelters as well as thrift stores.
Organize a “try-on day” to reconnect with what you already own (you might be surprised what still works!)
Fall fashion can be a celebration of layers, textures, and warmth. Plus it doesn’t have to cost the earth.
3. Preserving Summer’s Bounty: A Taste of Sunshine for Cold Months
There’s something deeply satisfying about opening a jar of tomato sauce or homemade jam in the middle of February. It’s like a spoonful of August sunshine.
Preserving food is one of the most rewarding and eco-friendly ways to reduce waste, save money, and maintain a connection to the land year-round.
Easy Ways to Preserve at Home
You don’t need a fancy setup to get started. Here are simple ways to preserve your harvest or surplus produce:
Freezing
Freeze chopped veggies like bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini for soups and stews
Blanch greens like spinach or kale before freezing
Freeze fruit for smoothies or desserts (think: berries, stone fruits, bananas)
Drying
Use a dehydrator or your oven to dry apple slices, tomatoes, or herbs
Store in airtight containers or jars
Dried citrus peels can also be used in teas, cleaning products, or potpourri
Canning
Start with high-acid foods like tomatoes, jams, or pickles for safety
Follow tested recipes (like from Bernardin or Ball) to avoid spoilage
Label your jars with the date and contents, trust me, you’ll forget what’s what
Don’t Let Produce Go to Waste
If you didn’t grow your own garden, look for local farmers' markets offering “seconds”. Produce that might be misshapen or slightly bruised but perfect for canning or freezing. Often, they’re discounted and just as delicious.
You can also use produce about to go bad in creative ways:
Overripe bananas → banana bread or frozen smoothie packs
Soft tomatoes → homemade marinara
Limp carrots and celery → veggie stock
By preserving food you’re honouring the energy, water, and soil that went into growing them.
Living with the Seasons: Why It Matters
Living sustainably isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about tuning in to the rhythms of nature and aligning our habits with them a little more each day.
Fall invites us to:
Slow down
Reflect on what we’ve grown (literally and metaphorically)
Share what we have
Prepare for the quiet of winter
And in many Indigenous cultures across Canada, fall is a time of gratitude and reciprocity. Giving thanks to the land for its abundance, and giving back through care and stewardship.
This mindset shift, from extraction to reciprocity, is what will carry us toward a more sustainable future.
Getting Started: A Simple Eco-Fall Checklist
To make this actionable, here’s a quick list of steps you can take this September:
✅ Harvest and preserve herbs and produce
✅ Mulch or plant a cover crop in your garden
✅ Leave some leaf piles or stems for pollinators
✅ Host or attend a clothing swap
✅ Rotate and repair your fall wardrobe
✅ Freeze or can extra fruits and veggies
✅ Check local listings for free produce or garden share programs
✅ Compost fall yard waste
✅ Practice gratitude for the land and season
Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Slow Shifts
You don’t need to do all of this overnight. Sustainability is a lifelong journey, not a sprint. Every small action you take to live more in tune with the earth creates ripple effects, in your home, your community, and the planet.
So this September, as the days grow shorter and sweaters become daily staples, ask yourself:
How can I make this season one of mindful change, deep connection, and quiet impact?
Because fall isn’t the end of something, it’s the beautiful pause before new life begins again.
Digging the fall energy and want to keep the momentum going?
Here are a few more blog reads to inspire your low-waste lifestyle this season:
Embracing Plastic-Free Pantries: A Guide to Storing Produce Sustainably
A practical, down-to-earth guide for anyone ready to ditch plastic in the kitchen and keep produce fresh the natural way. Thoughtful tips for organizing your pantry, storing your harvest, and reducing waste with intention.
Sprouting Fun: How to Grow Nutrient-Rich Sprouts at Home
Just because the garden is winding down doesn’t mean you have to stop growing your own food. Sprouting brings the magic indoors. Tiny, nutrient-packed greens you can grow right on your countertop. It’s the perfect way to keep fresh, homegrown goodness in your meals long after the last harvest. Simple, satisfying, and seriously fun.
10 Zero-Waste Back-to-School Recipes for Nourishing Lunches & Snacks
Fuel your days with low-waste meals that are simple to make, easy to pack, and good for both people and the planet.
Every blog we write is designed to help you build a more sustainable, circular lifestyle, one habit, one season, one step at a time.
Looking for more? Visit the Earth Warrior Blog for weekly inspiration rooted in care, creativity, and community.
Bring Cozy With You
As the mornings get colder and your fall routines kick in, think garden clean-ups, community swaps, or long afternoons preserving the last of summer’s harvest, don’t forget your warm beverage companion.
We love these reusable ceramic mugs. They are perfect for tea on the porch, coffee at your clothing swap, or a hot cider while you prep apples for canning. Durable, beautiful, and designed for low-waste living, these mugs make autumn feel even more grounded.
Sip slow. Live light. Bring your own mug, and bring a little comfort with you.
Let’s Keep Growing Together
At Earth Warrior, we believe in moving with the seasons and staying rooted in community. Our bi-weekly newsletter is a quiet nudge toward more intentional living. Filled with low-waste tips, circular ideas, and real stories from the ground up.
It’s not just another email. It’s a space to reconnect with the Earth, with each other, and with simple ways to live in better rhythm with the planet.
Sign up and walk this path with us, one season, one small shift at a time.
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