9 Things Gardeners Should Never Throw Away at the End of Summer

Seeds, fallen leaves, compost, garden supports, mulch, and reusable containers can all have valuable uses after summer ends. Smart garden cleanup means saving useful materials while removing diseased or damaged items – Shutterstock

The end of summer can turn a productive garden into a surprisingly useful pile of leftovers. Those dried seed heads, fallen leaves, spent plants, and half-empty bags of garden materials may look like cleanup chores, but many can give next season’s garden a head start.

The trick involves knowing what deserves a second act and what belongs in the trash or yard-waste bin. A little sorting now can save money, improve soil, provide habitat for beneficial insects, and leave useful materials ready when spring rolls around again.