Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Happy Fall, Ya'll | Tucking Pumpkins

Hello All,

With the recent chilly nights and mornings the last few weeks I have been pushed to a new realization:  Summer is gone and Fall is here.   

Fall just so happens to be one of my favorite seasons of the year.  Aren't they all?  

So, what does that mean? 

Lots of fires to keep us warm...
impromptu "Smore's and Sparkler parties" on the outside fire pit...
picking the most glorious assortment of pumpkins and gourds... 
and eating my way through all the Fall fairs.
  
I am officially on the hunt for the best corn dog and funnel cake out there and I plan on washing it all down with a Guinness. (It doesn't take much to make this girl happy.)

Here is the view today off my porch.  The leaves are already starting to change and I am inspired by the bursts of color...
Pops of red, orange, yellow and green...


Today I am sharing one of my favorite ways to create a planter full of the inspiration for this seasons colors. On a budget, of course.


Renewing your planters for Fall: I love to have my pots dripping with perfection.  The key to this is literally to tuck and poke various plants into their new home.  And to follow a simple formula...height, texture, color, and vining (drip). 

This time of the year, some of the plants you planted in the spring might still look good.  I've always frowned upon throwing out perfectly good plants just because they didn't fit the season. Take my potato vine (drip) and coleus (color) planter for example. These plants still work with the inspiration colors.
 I took the caladium bulbs out of the middle and replaced them with tall purple fountain grass (height), a small white mum (color) , creeping fig (drip), and a cabbage (texture).   

This containers final cost? $12.00 


Splitting mums:  Most plants have one stock in the temporary pot when you buy them. My yellow mums had 3 stocks in one pot.  This means I can split them apart and get more bang for my buck.  The cost for my yellow mum was $5.00.  I also use this little trick when buying plants for my garden....
tomato plants..peppers..and cucumbers to name a few.
Just a little tip my friends.

This variation of a yellow mum split up is a perfect example of getting more bang for your buck.  Don't you think?
Don't forget to tuck a pumpkin in! Total for this little beauty?  $11.00

Discount Deals: Fall is the perfect time to visit your local green house or discount chain for spectacular deals on annuals and perennials right now.  I saved big bucks and had lots of choices to bring in color and texture.  The best part?  All of these but the ornamental kale and coleus are perennials.   That means I can use them again next year...
It's the small victories people.
This one has creeping fig (drip), coral bells (texture), and coleus (height) with some existing potato vine (drip).  The pop of the orange pumpkin gives this masterpiece a touch of the unexpected. Not too bad for $9.00.

Tip:  When the last carmel apple has been consumed (or you throw out the last slice of pumpkin pie in an effort to start your new diet) feel free to plant your perennial potted mums in the yard. Just simply dig a hole, put the mum in and cut the foliage down leaving about 3 inches.

In the Spring, the foliage will be a green ball until the end of August producing a nice pop of color just in time for Fall.  Yippeee!

 Who can resist a planter full with the combination of these little Fall goodies?  



From my House, to your House, Happy Hunting!


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Linking to: Savvy Southern Style