Green Living Newsletter

Preserving Your Harvest

It’s that time of year again - it’s harvest time! Nothing is more satisfying than harvesting your own food from a garden except for eating that food during winter months when gardens have gone into hibernation. Eating fresh food from your garden throughout the summer season is fantastic, but there are many ways to preserve your harvest and enjoy it throughout the year.

Fall is a great time to preserve your bounty for the colder months. You'll prevent food waste and save a taste of summer for when the cold winter bares down. There are so many ways to make your fruits and vegetables last well into the winter.

Here are some tips and resources: 

Canning:
Canning sounds intimidating to some, but once you do it you’ll find there is no reason to fear it. Advice: borrow some canning equipment and ask for a lesson or two before you purchase your own canning equipment. For more tips on canning, check out USDA’s Complete Guide to Home Canning. 

Drying or Dehydrating:
For some herbs, drying is the only way to go. Sometimes, a paper bag is the only tool you’ll need. Dehydrating food is often done best with a dehydrator but an oven or microwave can produce the same effect. Learn more about these preservation methods. 

Freezing:
Of all the preservation methods listed, freezing (PDF) is the least time consuming. Blanching your produce before freezing will stop enzyme activity and help keep the nutritional value intact. 

Fermenting:
Fermentation is one of the oldest preservation methods known dating back several thousands of years. In fermentation, bacteria or yeast eat the natural sugars or starches in food which creates the lactic acid or alcohol responsible for preserving food. Fermented food has the added benefit of providing probiotics to maintain gut health.  

Seed Saving Methods:
Keeping the seeds from your fruits and vegetables allows you to save money for years to come. There are two methods to preserve your seeds: a wet method and a dry method. 

World Food Day

October 16, 2018 is designated as World Food Day, which spreads global awareness of the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for everyone.

Air pollutants can cause damage to plants and ultimately reduce crop yields. Since many air pollutants are produced by burning fossil fuels, we can all help by using energy efficient devices and getting our energy from cleaner sources. Visit DEC’s website for ways to decrease air pollution to protect our food sources.

Another way to reduce air pollution is to buy your produce locally so that less air pollution is given off to transport food to supermarkets. Locally grown produce can often be found at your regular grocery store, farmers’ markets or by purchasing a community-supported agriculture (CSA) share. Purchasing locally grown food is a valuable way to contribute to your community and improve the air quality for everyone.

The Burning Question: Fall Leaves

Did you know that it is illegal to burn leaves in New York State? Burning vegetation, other lawn debris, and trash releases pollution in the form of smoke and soot. Smoke contains particulate matter and harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide which pose a risk to your health, your pets, neighbors, wildlife and the environment. Burning leaves and other lawn debris also increases the likelihood of wildfires.

Fires are regulated in New York State. Lawn debris, including leaves, is not approved fuel for open fires and should not be put into household trash. Instead of burning your leaves, you can:

Compost them in your yard.
Use leaves as mulch in your garden or to cover sensitive plants for the winter.
Ask neighbors if they can use the leaves.
Mulch them with your lawnmower and leave them to fertilize your lawn.
If your community offers curbside collection, put leaves in biodegradable bags for collection.

See DEC's website for more tips on what to do with fall leaves.

Halloween #RecycleRight

Contaminated recycling bins can be scary stuff, especially for the workers that handle our recyclables. Make sure your recycling bin is no tricks and all treats this month by keeping candy wrappers, trick or treat buckets and Halloween costumes out of your household or curbside recycling bin.

For more information on waste reduction and recycling.

Upcoming Events

Reinstein Woods to Host Free Home Energy Workshop

DEC invites homeowners to a free "Home Energy Action Workshop" on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew. Presenters will explain how solar energy works and what community and residential solar programs and incentives are available in Western New York.

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Scheduled Activities

Saturday, October 20 - 10 a.m. - Explore the Fungus Among Us

Mushrooms are not just a tasty addition to your dinner, they are some of our most important decomposers and can rival wildflowers in their beauty and diversity. Come out for a walk on our Vlomankill and Big Pine trails where we will talk about these important decomposers and explore their diversity at Five Rivers.

Saturday, October 20 - 2 p.m. - Fascinating Flight

Flight is mastered by birds, bats and insects. Join us to learn what adaptations make these creatures so different, yet tremendously successful in the skies! Appropriate for all ages.

Wednesday, October 24 - 6 p.m. Family Fun: Nature's Night Shift

Enjoy a night out with the family to study who is active as the day shifts to night. We will start with a short indoor discussion about the different ways creatures have adapted to life in the dark. Then we will head out for a walk on the trails, looking and listening for common creatures of the night. Space is limited; please call 518.475.0291 to register by the Monday prior.

Thursday, October 25 - 4:30 p.m. Family Fun: Outdoors After School

Hey, kids! Are you tired of sitting at a desk all day? Join us after school to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, and have fun outdoors. Meet at the visitors' center to begin our adventure. Each week will have a different theme and will include time to explore outdoors. Come for as many sessions as you'd like, and dress for outdoor activity. For children in grades K-5 and their caregivers.

Five Rivers is located at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar.