Decorating my Porch for Fall

I’ve been decorating my porch for fall, y’all. I waited until the most recent heat wave dissipated. After living in Texas for so many years, I have lots of experience with putting pumpkins on the porch early, only to have them melt and turn grody by Halloween. Especially the carved ones.

I want my pumpkins to last through Thanksgiving.

Especially the non-carved ones.

Decorating my Porch for Fall

So what does decorating my porch for fall look like? Mainly, I buy a few pumpkins and place them along the porch steps. Yes, I lured you here under the pretense of great fall decor, but really, I keep it simple.

I may sound like the Halloween Grinch, but first I’ll tell you what I’m NOT doing when it comes to fall porch decor.

I’m not buying pansies or mums. (Oh, in years past, I’ve added plenty to the fall nursery coffers.) But, last year I swore off pansies. I imagine that whatever critter lives under our porch is waiting for me to plant them. He loves to uproot them during the night and watch me (I imagine) replant them each morning.

Ha. Fool me ten times and eventually I’ll learn.

(I may plant a few violas, but they seem to do much better for whatever reason.)

With respect to mums, I bought four or five small containers a few years ago. After they bloomed, I planted them in our front bed. Each year they spread and spread until now I have to divide them each spring. Right now they are happily blooming in wide lilac wave. So, yes, we are good with our current mum crop.

Here’s the thing… If your porch flowers survived summer and you already have the requisite porch furniture (a comfy place to relax and a spot to rest a drink), then decorating for fall is easy.

First, the Pumpkin

This is the most important part of decorating a fall porch. I consider the shape, size, color, and cost. The deal breaker for me is the pumpkin’s stem. A pumpkin without an interesting stem? Too bad, so sad, but I walk on by.

All through the growing season, the stem was that pumpkin’s umbilical cord; it rooted the pumpkin to the earth. Each one is different, like a fingerprint. If you plan to carve your pumpkin, a good stem makes for an interesting lid.

Flat, worn spots on the pumpkin tell its story as it grew to maturity. Some slept on their sides; others on their bottoms. Those flat side spots help the pumpkin sit firmly against the porch steps. Round, fat pumpkins do better with room to spread on the porch floor. Each personality is different. And it takes all kinds.

Fall Perception

It’s funny to me how the same flowers during summer look perfectly fall-ish once a pumpkin is added to the mix. I’ve always loved pink and orange together, so pink geraniums with orange pumpkins are a happy combination on my fall porch.

Our orange gerbera daisies are perfectly Halloween-ish!

Little white pumpkins are pure fun. They pop against orange pumpkins and our gray porch floor.

I have a couple of permanent pumpkins, too!

Wreaths and Pillows and Skulls (Oh My!)

An autumn door wreath is mandatory when it comes to fall porch decor. I bought this one at Sara Kathryn’s several years ago.

I pulled a few other Halloween touches from storage, like skulls and ravens. I’ve been collecting Halloween decor for years. My favorite place for unique finds—junk stores.

On October 31, our neighborhood will be overrun with trick-or-treaters. Until then, the weather is perfect for porch-sitting. Although I have an eerie feeling that someone is watching me…

Fall has been knocking on our door for several weeks, but until a day or two, she has been teasing us. Hiding. Waiting. I think she has finally arrived!

Do you decorate your porch / deck / balcony / front stoop / (whatever) for fall?

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.