Page 106 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2024

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Decorating your porch with pumpkins, gourds, and other fall produce in vibrant colors of orange, gold, and red will be a stand-out in your neighborhood. Try to add interesting-looking and colorful pumpkins to match your fall theme.
Pumpkins are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be stacked according to size or used with a crate in a creative way. Carved or painted pumpkins add a personal and unique touch to your home, also. Adding scarecrows and corn stalks as well as dried flowers in gorgeous baskets will add to the feel of harvest and bounty.
You may want to consider the size of your porch. Even if your porch is on the smaller side, there are plenty of ways to create a welcoming fall display. A bench or rustic chair can be a focal point for the porch if you have the room. Adding cozy blankets and pillows contribute so much warmth to a seating area.
To make your porch, large or small, more inviting, try using natural materials like burlap, straw, and wood. Baskets and metal buckets can be made to fit into about any décor! The colors of nature work well with the vibrant colors of fall: beige, brown, cream, etc.
If you still “need a little something,” think about making a fall wreath! It is a great way to add some pizzazz to your front porch that welcomes guests into your home. Wreaths are available to purchase or you can make your own. After purchasing or making your wreath, make sure you hang it on a sturdy hook or wreath hanger on the door. It will be a highlight of your entryway. If you need ideas, think of using materials from your yard: pinecones, twigs, interesting dried botanicals, and vines. You can always add a variety of fun items to the wreath from your local craft stores.
Chrysanthemums cannot be left off of your porch in November as they are the “queen of the fall flowers.” Mums are a great way to add some extra color to your porch. They look great and require very little upkeep. Just deadhead the flowers when necessary. You can put them in matching decorative planters or pots and arrange them beautifully on steps or tables or benches. Choose mums that coordinate with your other colors that you have chosen.
Mum colors can include burgundy, yellow, pink, white, orange, red, apricot, variegated, and cream. Some mums reach three feet in height, however, there are dwarf forms that grow just eight to 10 inches tall. Mums are very popular with our pollinators, butterflies and bees, and grow well in zones 4-10.
story by Gaye Winter
106 | November 2024
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Gaye Winter, Ph.D., teaches English at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and is a member of Biloxi Garden Club. Reach her at gaye.winter@mgccc.edu.