10 Easy Essentials for Outdoor Fall Decorating

At the Very Least, Hang a Wreath

Wreaths aren't just for Christmas. A floral display in rich autumn colors will make your entry warm and welcoming

Display Colorful Mums

Mums come in a variety of colors and sizes. Choose one or two colors for a uniform look or go wild and get as many colors as you can find. Display your mums in different ways like in a wagon, bushel basket, wheelbarrow or an old caldron.

Mix Up Gourds

Line your stoop or walkway with an assortment of pumpkins and gourds in a variety of sizes. Try layering and interlacing them with ivy and other greens to get a natural pumpkin-patch look.

Hang Dried Corn

Indian corn adds color and texture to any setting. Tie a few cobs together for a simple arrangement to hang on your door or porch railing.

Layer With Hay

Haybales are an easy way to stagger the height of your display. When winter comes along, throw the hay (and pumpkins) on your compost pile, then fertile your garden with it come springtime.

It Doesn't Have to be All Orange

Making a striking statement by sticking to one unexpected color.

Feed the Birds While You're at It

Birds will start to look for reliable sources of food when the weather cools down. Include a gourd bird feeder with your outdoor decor. Continue making feeders throughout the winter months to make sure the bird population sticks around your yard. This is a great project for kids; take a look at the instructions

Use Pinecones to Feed the Birds

Pinecones are another great way to feed your feathery garden friends. Simple tie a string to the top of the pinecone, then cover the cone in peanut butter and bird seed. Put it in the freezer to harden up before you put it outside.

Sprinkle in Some Cabbage or Kale

You don't have to like the taste of it to decorate with it. Flowering cabbage and kale will bring bright hues to your autumn landscape. Try combining these eye-catching plants with sweet alyssum, viola, nemesia, and garden mums. Best of all, flowering cabbage and kale stand up to temps as low as 5°F and light snows. In areas where frost comes early, buy these plants in the largest size you can find, because once the cold air hits, they'll stop growing.

Add Cornstalks for Height

Simply take about 15 to 20 dried cornstalks and bunch them together with bailer's twine to secure. Leave the twine bare or add a ribbon in any fall color. Place a couple of stacks of hay, mums and pumpkins in front of the cornstalks and you're done. Easy!