🌍 Earth-Friendly Fall Clean Up Guide

As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, many of us start preparing our yards and homes for the winter months ahead. Fall clean up is a tradition here in Minnesota (and many other places), but it doesn’t have to mean bagging up every leaf or sending piles of stuff to the landfill. With a few mindful choices, your seasonal reset can be kinder to the planet - and still set you up for a cozy winter ahead.

🍂 In the Yard & Garden

Plant perennials.

Fall is one of the best times to plant perennials, especially natives (side note: I am currently in the process of assisting a monarch caterpillar transform into a butterfly and it’s the most incredible experience - all because I planted a Butterfly weed plant in my backyard). The cooler temps and moist soil give roots a chance to establish before winter, meaning healthier plants come spring. If you need ANY tips or guidance on what to plant in your space, reach out to my bestie Sara at Lakefront Blooms!

Leave some leaves.

This one may be hard for the yard perfectionists out there, but just think about the GOOD you’ll do. Instead of clearing every last leaf, try leaving a thin layer in garden beds, over your mulch, or tucking some into corners of your yard. Many beneficial insects, like pollinators and butterflies, hibernate in leaf litter. Birds also forage there for food in the colder months.

Rake, don’t blow.

Gas-powered leaf blowers are noisy, polluting, and harmful to soil health. A rake is quieter, cleaner, and doubles as a workout. If you’re really anti-raking, then opt for an electric leaf blower, if possible!

Compost yard waste.

If you have seasonal yard waste service, perfect! Use your bin + paper bags for overflow (PLEASE don’t use plastic bags to collect leaves in) and put them out for pick up. If not, your city may have leaf/yard waste drop off days around this time of year. Leaves, branches, and clippings can also go into a backyard compost system if you have one, which then turns into nutrient-rich soil for spring planting! Win win.

Skip the chemicals.

Fertilizers and pesticides applied in fall often run off with the first snowmelt, polluting local waterways. Your garden [and the planet] will be healthier without them.

🏡 Around the Home & Garage

Declutter with intention.

As you pack away summer gear, please think twice before tossing. Donate usable items through your local Buy Nothing group (seriously obsessed with this), thrift stores, or shelters. What’s the saying, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!”

Drop off the tough stuff.

Old paint, cleaners, pesticides, and batteries don’t belong in the trash. Many communities hold fall drop-off days for hazardous waste -> check your local city website.

Swap out filters.

Clean furnace filters help your system run more efficiently, saving energy (and money) all winter. This task takes 2 minutes.

Revisit your wardrobe.

Before buying new coats, hats, or mittens, see what can be mended or host a fun swap with friends!

Utilize nature.

Use natural elements (pinecones, branches, dried flowers) for fall décor instead of buying plastic. Don’t tell Hobby Lobby or Michaels I told you this.

🍁 The Bottom Line

Fall clean up doesn’t have to mean waste bags piled high at the curb. By working with nature and being intentional about what you keep, donate, or recycle, you’ll make your home cozier for winter while giving the planet a little love too.

Progress over perfection: even small steps add up to a big seasonal impact. 🌍✨

With less waste and lots of love,

Ali