Embracing the Bounty of Fall: What to Do with Your Garden Harvest

As the leaves turn amber and the temperatures dip, our gardens overflow with a bountiful harvest. Maintaining a garden isn’t just about enjoying its beauty; it’s also about embracing the fruits of our labor. This fall, I found myself surrounded by piles of kale, wormy apples, and other garden goodies that beckoned for attention. If you’re like me, it’s time to act before winter creeps in!

The beautiful chaos of a fall harvest at my local community garden.

Share the Bounty of Nature

In the vibrant city of Edmonton, we are blessed with an abundance of edible fruit trees. Did you know there are over 52,000 fruit trees within city limits? Even dwarf varieties of apples and pears can yield a staggering amount—more than 150 pounds per tree! If your fruit is piling up faster than you can eat it, consider sharing with others.

Don’t let your extra harvest go to waste! If you can’t find friends or neighbors interested in your surplus, the Edmonton Food Bank (EFB) is eager to accept donations of fresh produce. As Doug Thompson from EFB highlights, “This time of year we get a lot of potatoes, tomatoes, peas, lettuce, and corn on the cob.”

Unfortunately, some trees, like the crabapple, don’t lend themselves well to donation. Due to their size and sour taste, they require extra processing that many lack the time or resources for. However, the bounty of other fruits and vegetables can certainly brighten someone else’s day, so it’s worth considering those options! Check out the food bank’s website for more details on how to donate.

A Helping Hand for Hungry Animals

What about those blemished fruits and vegetables that aren’t suitable for donation? If you’ve pulled a few wormy apples or found cabbage leaves nibbled by caterpillars, fear not! They can still serve a purpose. My discovery of the Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement (FARMM) opened my eyes to a wonderful outlet for “imperfect” produce.

Owner Melissa Marttell runs a haven for about 150 animals that thrive on those less than perfect offerings. She ardently explained, “If you brought them out here and we fed them, they would disappear in a matter of five minutes.” It’s enlightening to know that even the wormiest of apples can feed a rescue animal and prevent unnecessary waste.

Repurposing food scraps for animal sustenance.

Preservation: Beyond Storage

If your harvest is more manageable, consider preserving it! Vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions can be stored in a root cellar, lasting many months if handled properly. I often overlook my root cellar, but it’s a goldmine for extending the life of my crops. If you don’t have that option, freezing is a fantastic alternative. Blanching greens such as kale and spinach beforehand can ensure a longer shelf life and preserve flavor.

One of my favorite cozy winter recipes involves herb bombs—made by freezing fresh herbs in ice cube trays. These little flavor boosters come in handy when making soups or stews in the dead of winter. Don’t forget to check out herb bombs for more ideas on how to use your extra herbs!

Canning and Fermentation: A Beginner’s Guide

For those daring enough to try their hand at canning, this season brings an array of possibilities. Jams, jellies, and pickles can be stored safely in the pantry using the right methods. However, I must stress the importance of safety when canning—improper methods can lead to botulism, a severe risk that should not be overlooked. High-acid foods like pickles require boiling water canners, while low-acid foods need a pressure canner.

If you’re unsure where to start, local libraries and community workshops often provide essential resources. For instance, Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton offers a variety of workshops that include canning techniques. Just recently, I signed up for a canning and pickling workshop hosted by the New Grocery Movement—equipping myself with some hands-on knowledge.

Keeping the garden’s essence preserved for winter.

As the growing season wraps up, let’s not forget the effort, joy, and community that gardening can foster. Explore ways to donate, repurpose, and preserve that will benefit others and minimize waste. After all, there’s nothing quite like enjoying the fruits of your labor—even if it means turning wormy apples into a delicious treat for animals instead of letting them rot.

Together we can make the most of this fruitful season and carry its vibrant spirit into the colder months ahead.