Floridians are obsessed with fall. I think that’s hysterical. It was literally 90 degrees outside, and Michael’s was sold out of large swaths of fall décor. Now, I recognize the hypocrisy on my part – let she who is without gourd on her FL porch cast the first stone, but there does seem to be a certain disconnect between a sweltering early September day and a pumpkin spice latte.
Floridians got payback for my mocking. I decided that using white pumpkins as pots for mums would be a swell idea. Perhaps it is… in Vermont. I cannot begin to describe the smell of a rotting pumpkin in the Florida sun, its juices spreading across the porch handrail and attracting a swarm of flies and ants. Yes, the joke is on me.
Before things took a turn for the worse, the pumpkin-mum-pot idea was adorable, so if you live in a cooler climate, I suggest this idea. If you live in Florida, buy some cute pots or fake pumpkins and call it a day.
If you fall (pun intended) into the former camp, all you need are a couple of mums, pumpkins and some potting soil. I cut the top off two pumpkins and cleaned them out – of course saving the seeds to butter, salt and roast! I then added potting soil and replanted the mums in the pumpkins. I put them by the front porch pillars for all passersby to admire.
I’m regretting not capturing a better photo, but you get the idea
To spice things up for early fall, I also switched out the window boxes and the front door wreath. You can find fake florals and vines at any craft store. I resorted to the internet for the cabbage flowers that I set my mind to. I also added a (fake!) pumpkin, gourds and pine cones. If you are able to regularly water your window boxes, you can of course purchase the real McCoy and use live flowers.
When Halloween gets closer, I intend to go a bit spookier, but I liked the idea of a subtle early fall palate. You’ll note that I avoided bright reds and oranges, as I feared they would clash with my gray and seafoam palate. There are a wide range of fall color palates, so you can adjust for your design style. Also be sure to learn from my mistakes and adjust for your climate as well!
