The Fall Harvest: Turning Your Garden’s Bounty Into a Sustainable Future

As the vibrant days of summer give way to the brisk embrace of fall, gardeners find themselves at a crossroads. The fruits of their labor are ripe for the picking, but what should one do with an overflow of produce? With the urgency of the season in the air, it’s time to explore how we can make the most of our garden’s bounty while fostering community and sustainability.

Harvest season brings opportunities and responsibilities.

The Challenge of Food Waste

It’s shocking to learn that Alberta generates a staggering $31 billion in food waste annually, with nearly half arising from household sources. This alarming statistic has led me to reflect on my own gardening practices and how I can do better. With so many edible goods produced right in our backyards, it seems almost wasteful not to share or repurpose what we can’t consume.

In Edmonton, where over 52,000 edible fruit trees flourish, many find themselves with more than their own family can eat. For those seemingly endless bushels of apples or pounds of kale, the question remains: how can we ensure that these precious resources don’t go to waste?

Share the Bounty

One of the simplest solutions is to donate leftover produce. Edmonton’s Food Bank welcomes excess fruits, particularly those that are easy to store, like root vegetables, squash, and, of course, those plentiful potatoes. Doug Thompson from the food bank highlights that “Garden-fresh produce simply tastes better, and we appreciate every single garden around the city that shares any of its bounty with us.” Contributors can drop off eligible donations at the food bank’s warehouse at 11508 120 St. Their website has more information on what and how to donate.

The Leftovers Foundation is another fantastic resource. They not only collect home-grown delights for campus food banks but also support social agencies. As outreach coordinator Mary Gholami notes, “It’s been very difficult for a lot of people to gain access to fresh, good produce,” reinforcing the need for community support in difficult times.

Imagine turning your once-overloaded harvest into nourishment for someone in need—truly a rewarding experience!

Utilizing Every Last Bit

But what do you do with the less-than-perfect produce? There’s no need to despair over those wormy apples or caterpillar-chewed cabbages. They can still serve a purpose. The Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement (FARMM) accepts all kinds of imperfect produce. Melissa Marttell from FARMM shares, “If you brought them out here and we fed them, they would disappear in a matter of five minutes.” This initiative offers a compassionate way to ensure your surplus yields do not go to waste.

Even imperfect produce has a role to play.

Preserving the Season

If you find yourself with a more manageable harvest, consider storing your vegetables properly. Hardy vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions can last for months in a root cellar, with their flavors developing beautifully. No root cellar? The freezer is a great friend! Just remember to blanch your veggies before freezing—this helps preserve nutrients and flavor. Greens like kale and spinach can be easily chopped and stored flat in bags for quick winter meals.

For fans of culinary creativity, making herb bombs is a delightful way to brighten winter dishes. Freeze chopped herbs in ice cube trays with a little olive oil, and you’ll have ready-made flavor boosts the next time you’re whipping up a soup or stew. This is where creativity meets preservation!

Canning and Fermentation

If you’re feeling adventurous, canning is a fantastic method to extend the life of your harvest. Foods like fruits, pickles, and even tomatoes can be preserved through canning, but make sure to consult the experts; improperly processed foods can pose serious health risks. Organizations like the Edmonton Public Library offer workshops for novice canners to get started.

Fermentation also adds a tangy twist to your garden goodies—think homemade sauerkraut or kimchi. The process not only preserves produce but enhances its nutritional profile. Numerous cooking classes and workshops, particularly at local libraries, provide insight into these creative methods.

Home canning gives you the power to savor the season all year long.

The Bounty of Community

In conclusion, the fall harvest is not only about enjoying the fruits of our labor but also about ensuring that these gifts are shared, preserved, and utilized to their fullest potential. From donating excess to community initiatives, getting creative with preservation techniques, and even providing for local animal shelters, we have countless opportunities to make a positive impact. Let us share our golden harvests; let us build a sustainable community together. Through these simple acts, we can turn our gardens’ bounty into not just food, but good for the soul.

For more information, check out the Farmers’ Almanac and learn how to save some of your produce adventure this winter.

Together, let’s change the narrative around food waste, one vegetable at a time.