Autumn Joy

There’s crispness in the air. Stores are lining their shelves with candy and costumes. Leaves are starting to turn. You know it’s time to break out your fall decorations! Autumn is such a fun time of year to decorate with the rich color schemes. Natural elements fit in nicely with the rustic fall colors, so there are many ways you can inexpensively decorate for the season. When trees are freshly painted with their burnished fall hues, take advantage of their splendor. Gather some leaves and clippings to create wreaths or swags for your gates, doors, or mantels. For a quick update on your porch, fill a pot or window box with the colors of the season. Gather pinecones, seedpods, acorns and fall leaves to put in wicker baskets. Use these on the porch or in entry ways for simple, rustic decorations. You can also use small branches with the pinecones and/or leaves still attached and place them in vases and crocks.

Potted mums this time of year are the same prices as cut flowers, or cheaper, so why not buy several, pot them up and place them around your walks, steps and porch. Tie autumn themed ribbons around the base of the pots. If you have room plant them in the ground after the blooms are gone and lay down some mulch (grass clippings or chopped leaves) for the winter.

Many areas are overflowing with nut trees, and because they are ready for harvest in the fall, these small, tasty beauties make a beautiful autumn display. To add some color and texture to the bunch, pick a few sunflowers a few days before creating your autumn display. You will want to dry them by hanging them upside down for about three days. Once the flowers have dried, remove the bloom of the flower and place it gently atop the pile of nuts. For an interesting base to this display, try using a row of sticks made into a miniature raft or plate to hold the nuts and the flowers on. All of these items can either be used or discarded at the end of the season.