Discover the Natural Beauty of Fall in Decorations

First posted on 10-29-2009

With fall in full swing, now is the time to brighten up front yards and porches with flowers, pumpkins and decorations, said Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

“Planting fall flowers creates a vivid color display and will enhance the carved pumpkins, cornstalks and scarecrows that you might place in the yard,” she said.

Natural decorations such as flowers and plants are one way of celebrating the season on a budget. According to the National Retail Federation, only 47 percent of Americans plan to decorate their home or yard this year, a three percent drop from 2008.

Marigolds are one popular fall flower. Some can be found at bargain prices in stores, but they won’t last long. “If you saved seeds and have them ready to plant, then you’re not out any money, just some time - and of course, you’ll gain a lot of satisfaction,” said McKinnon.

Chrysanthemums come in many colors. Planting chrysanthemums directly into beds is one way to display their beautiful color. “For the most punch, a host of mums the same color makes a big statement,” said McKinnon.

Choose plants with full buds that have just begun to open. Water them often, as most mums are root-bound and will dry out quickly if left in the pot. Mums may also be kept in pots and stored in the garage during winter. When the green growth appears, it is time to trim the dead foliage and plant them, she said.

Pansies bloom in the fall, hang out during the winter and bloom again in the spring. “Pansies stop developing new roots when the temperature of the soil drops below 45 degrees, so it’s important to get them into the ground as soon as possible,” said McKinnon. Pick favorite colors from yellow, purple, blue and white.

Ornamental cabbage and kale make great fall and winter plants because of their colorful foliage, she said. They become even more colorful after the frost.

Pumpkins, a fall favorite, come in many shapes and colors. Make a trip to the pumpkin patch and pick one. Pumpkins come in the ever-popular orange, but also in whites and light greens. These make an impact when mixed into the decoration, said McKinnon. “There isn’t just standard orange anymore,” she said.

Pumpkins can be carved in many ways. For those looking for something other than traditional face carvings, consider other creative designs. Many pumpkins are not carved at all - just painted and decorated, said McKinnon. These tend to last longer than a carved pumpkin, she said.

Pulling out old summer plants and getting beds ready for fall plants is the first step towards a splash of fall color. “I happen to be on step one,” said McKinnon.

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