There is still time to add a little color to your backyard for fall. And many of these decorations will last into the winter months with a little care and planning. Now in my zone 5 growing zone I have to bring plants into the entry and just leave dried arranged arrangements outdoors.

photo credit: Ian Muttoo

With Thanksgiving approaching the addition of dried corn stalks, Indian corn, and pumpkins with give your yard, patio or porch area a festive look. The corn stalks can be left outdoors. The Indian corn can also be left outdoors and can later be sprayed with a clear varnish to preserve then for another year. Note: Make sure the Indian corn is stored in an area that mice will not bother it.

Pumpkins need to be covered if there is a frost at night and brought in if there is a freeze. If you clean them well with a bleach and water mix when you first purchase them to kill any germs that may have entered a cut, the pumpkins will last until after the new year.

photo credit: alecim

Gourds, mini pumpkins and fall flowers also make a nice garden art arrangement in a yard. Place them on a hay bale or in a wagon for a farm like feel. And with the fall flowers you can bring them indoors and enjoy the flowers. Mums are particularly easy to move indoors and by pinching them back you will have flowers through the holidays.

I also like to clip the mums and start new plants. Mums will produce roots easily in a rich potting soil. I use a liquid rooting hormone and cover the pot with clear plastic wrap and have a new plant in a month. I them place it in my greenhouse until spring. It has protection form the freezing weather but will go dormant until spring and better weather returns.

Fall is a wonderful time for fall arrangements and bright splashed or yellows, reds, and orange colors. They seem to stand out more vibrantly in the cloudy fall skies we have in NW PA.

photo credit: Chrissy Olson

Check out Backyard Oasis for a few more fall decorating ideas for you backyard and patio areas.

Technorati Tags: backyard decorating, Creative Organic Gardening, fall flowers, garden art, indian corn, mums, pumpkins

Garden art and backyard design pieces add atmosphere, fun and creativity to a garden. Even a vegetable garden will have more flair with garden art and a little humor added. This is one reason why scarecrows a re popular in gardens. They may ward off birds but they also add creativity to a garden.
photo credit: A Girl Next Door

Garden art can include everything from a decorative plant pot to a water fountain.

Here are a few suggestions to think about when adding garden art to your gardens and yard.

Use existing structures as backdrops for garden art pieces. Pots with flowers placed strategically on a fence create more of a garden feel to a small backyard. Hang antiques or old tools on the sides of barn or utility shed.

Create a small area to rest in the garden, or by a greenhouse or work shed.

Small tree-filled spaces will look more spacious if you use a three dimensional approach in design. Birdhouses, mini lanterns and wind chimes will create layers of color and interest in the branches.

You can also create mini gardens around the tree bases with flowers, herbs and ceramic collectible pieces. I use collectibles that may have some damage but when placed in a garden area it is not noticeable.

Wide-open spaces in the backyard successfully display larger garden art. Ponds, fountains, a bird sanctuary including a feeder, bath and butterfly garden, or larger sculpture pieces work well here. And make sure you add a bench for relaxing.

By adding garden art you can quickly change the look of a garden or backyard for a party or for the different season of the year. Garden art also looks nice on the patio or balcony and will help blend the indoor space with outdoor space.

The only precaution with adding garden art it making sure the pieces have a common theme and match your landscape or home design so that you have a nice design flow and not a confusing chaotic look.

Technorati Tags: backyard garden, backyard garden design, creative gardening, garden art, landscaping design

Garden Art is one of the “in” trends for this summers garden and yard. And with the interest in gardening, particularly container gardening, on the increase you may want to consider making you own hypertufa planters. It’s a fun project and also makes a great family project.
photo credit: jdn

I made my first hypertufa pot in a local art society. We were encouraged to bring items to press into our pots such as rocks beads, marbles or any other found objects. I used wash glass pieces and old keys in my creation.

The you tube video below will give you a fast idea on how to make a hypertufa pot. It’s really very easy and once you start making them you will find the ideas get more creative. The look of the container also blends in to the backyard and looks wonderful near ponds or pools.

The nice thing about the hypertufa pot is that it is really an economical project. They last for a long time and can withstand harsh winters. They can be made in all sized and using peat moss instead of cement they are not as heavy as you would think so can be moved about.

Technorati Tags: container gardening, creative gardening, garden art, garden crafting