October 2021 Newsletter - WellBatavia
Posted by Nathaniel Thomas on
October 2021
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Terra Haven monthly newsletter. This time of year we are enjoying crisp cool nights and some of our last warm, sunny afternoons as the leaves begin to shower us in radiant colors. It’s about time to tuck our gardens in for the winter, and think about the upcoming holiday season.
Thank you to the Batavia Farmers Market, WellBatavia Initiative, and everyone who stopped by my booth earlier this month to say hello! There was a lot of interest in sustainable living tips, composting, pet treats, and handmade items. We hope to see you all at the WellBatavia Festival next year when it (hopefully) returns to one big event. We plan to have a composting demonstration and more.
We are all learning & growing, and there are a lot of exciting, upcoming developments with Terra Haven. Our mission is to Redefine the Way People Live on Planet Earth. I’m planning a full garden line that will be launched in time for spring planting. Whether you enjoy growing your own fresh produce or protecting wildlife habitat, the labor of love spent in our yards and on our balconies matter.
I’m eager to build a sense of community and inspire regular folks like you to make small, incremental changes toward sustainability. Each season I’ll send out a short list of sustainability tips that ties into the rhythms of nature.
Here are my Three Sustainability Tips for Fall:
- Glean the Garden - At the end of the growing season, be sure to can, dry, or ferment your extra harvest. Lots of tutorials are available on the web. One of my favorite and easy things to do, is to make one final harvest from our herb garden before the first frost, use the dehydrator to gently dry the herbs (which I found preserves the color better than just air drying), and refill our spice containers to last all through the winter. If you have a bigger harvest than you can make use of, the Northern Illinois Foodbank in Geneva accepts produce from individuals. You can bring your donation right to the front desk, or call ahead if you have a large amount so they can direct you to the back dock. If you don’t live in the area, call your local food pantry to see if you can drop off fresh produce. Not every food bank or pantry can accept items that have a short shelf life or need refrigeration, so it is recommended to call ahead and ask.
- Leave the Leaves - One of the best things you can do for pollinators is to leave leaf litter on the ground over winter. Many insects and invertebrates lay eggs or over winter in the leaf litter. If you want to rake up your lawn, be sure to spread them under trees or in another designated area of your yard instead of burning or sending them off at the curb. It may seem obvious, but don’t forget that leaves are carbon-rich and, if left on the ground, simply break down to become new soil. Brown leaves make great leaf mulch and are a nice addition to compost bins, as well. Reducing your garden’s output will help reduce fertilizer input over time.
- Eat Local - Whether or not you have a garden, this time of year is perfect for buying local pumpkins, squash, kale, apples, and more. Most farmers markets are closing up for the season, but there are some winter farmer’s markets to look for where you can often buy fresh, local greens year round. If you didn’t sign up for a CSA subscription box this year, try joining one in the spring, or consider starting your own garden - big or small - next year.
Stock Up on Clean-Burning, Sustainable Palm Oil Aloha Bay Taper Candles for the Holidays