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As temperatures drop and leaves turn shades of red, scarlet, and crimson, autumn is just around the corner. Why not make the most of this season outdoors, enjoying the comfort of your garden? With a bit of planning, you can experience your garden to the fullest even when it goes cold.
Welcome this time of year with new planting ideas, decorating tips, and tidying up. These autumn garden ideas will help you get started, just like enjoying a warm cinnamon apple!
1. Celebrate the autumn harvest
Autumn brings a plentiful harvest of pumpkins, winter squash, apples, and more. Use these seasonal items to create an eye-catching display. Arrange them in baskets and place them in key spots like your seating area, front porch, patio, garden gate, or even in front of your log cabin. What better way to welcome the season with colour!
2. Stay warm in an outdoor building
People who own a log cabin or a wooden summer house will tell you that they are excellent for enjoying the tranquillity of your garden even when it is cold outside. Extend your outdoor experience beyond the summer months by setting up a garden building that protects you from the wind and rain while still giving you an outdoor view and a lovely wooden aesthetic.
3. Grow in upcycled containers
Many autumn plants thrive in containers, and using recycled ones can add a quirky touch to your garden. Beyond traditional terracotta pots, consider DIY planters like tins, wine boxes, colanders, or old boots. If needed, give them a fresh coat of paint, drill drainage holes, and fill them with plants that fit the season.
Tip: Mix annuals, perennials, and grasses. For instance, combine chrysanthemums, asters, and flame grass for a colourful arrangement.
4. Use fallen leaves as compost
Autumn leaves are a valuable source of soil-improving organic matter, good for compost. If your compost bin is full, gather the fallen leaves and pile them under established trees and shrubs. Over time, they will decompose and can be added to your soil by next summer.
Autumn leaves are a valuable source of soil-improving organic matter, good for compost. If your compost bin is full, gather the fallen leaves and pile them under established trees and shrubs. Over time, they will decompose and can be added to your soil by next summer.
This method helps prevent leaves from covering and potentially harming your low-lying plants or lawn. Plus, you get to enjoy the vibrant autumn colours while improving your garden’s health.
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
5. Install IP-rated outdoor lights
No matter the season, outdoor lighting ideas are a superb way to add interest to your garden. Your best bet is IP-rated weatherproof lights, so your autumn backyard remains illuminated even after rain. Up & downlights are also great for highlighting walls or tall plants and creating a subtle ambience. String lights are another option; hang them on trees or fences.
6. Trim the bushes and shrubs
When bushes and shrubs start turning yellow, or their stems begin to droop, it’s time to trim them. The amount you should prune depends on the plant variety, but a general rule is to remove about a quarter of their size. Proper trimming will keep your garden looking neat and remove the sight of withered plants.
7. Double the warmth with a fire pit ring
Fire pits are the epitome of cosy autumn nights. Adding one to your patio can transform it into a welcoming fall retreat! Place it in the centre of your patio so you have plenty of room to move around it. Make sure there are no flammable items nearby to avoid any fire hazards.
8. Dress up your arbour
Make the most of autumn days by decorating your garden arbour with seasonal plants. Boston ivy is a great option. It adds green in the summer and turns reddish in the fall. Plant it in the spring so that by the time autumn arrives, it’ll display vibrant leaves.
9. Add water features
Autumn colours look even more stunning when reflected in the water. A pond is perfect for a large garden, but a small fountain will do if the space is limited.
Be sure to remove debris regularly, as decaying leaves can produce harmful gases that could damage fish in your pond or fountain.
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
10. Use contrasting colours
Combining yellow, green, and purple can make your autumn landscape stand out. Choose plants like Russian sage, calendulas, and ornamental grasses. For fall foliage, consider adding at least one tree, such as a Chinese pistache. This tree’s leaves change from gold to crimson, adding striking colour and creating a dramatic effect in your landscape scheme.
Tip: Plant the tree in the spring to give it a full growing season. By the time fall arrives, the tree should be ready to be showcased!
11. Welcome the wildlife
Your fall garden can become a habitat for wildlife, such as birds and hedgehogs. Set up bird feeders and create piles of leaves and logs for hedgehogs to use for hibernation. Also, leave some foliage at or near ground level. Not only will insects and birds benefit, but it may also protect new shoots from late frosts.
12. Create your own dedicated love seat
A well-placed bench or companion loveseat can provide a perfect spot to enjoy the changing season. Look for a spot you’d naturally be inclined to repose. An area that catches the afternoon sun is perfect, or somewhere against a wall to admire the garden from.
13. Bring movement
Ornamental grasses sway with the slightest autumn breeze, adding movement to the garden. Taller grasses with upright stalks work well along fences and walls. On the flip side, smaller, wispy grasses are ideal for front borders, where they can soften pathways and add a delicate touch to your garden’s edges.
14. Plant ahead for Christmas
Prepare your autumn garden for the upcoming festive season by planting now. Add evergreen sprigs and cheerful perennials like poinsettias.
Poinsettias, known for their red and green foliage, are ideal for Christmas. In the autumn, however, they offer a striking display with peachy yellow and pale pink tones. Planting them now will give you a festive look for the holiday season.
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
15. Spruce up your doorstep
Autumn-themed containers placed by the front door create a welcoming entrance. Go for pottery in warm and neutral colours, such as terracotta pots. For a simple autumn display, arrange bronze grasses, plum-coloured coral bells, and jasmine in a pot. This layout will create a tasteful autumn look that works well on decks.
16. Invest in a rattan garden furniture
Autumn doesn’t have to be all cold and dreary. You can still enjoy the outdoors by equipping your patio with high-quality furniture. With the Marbella rattan set, you can host a garden party to say goodbye to summer and welcome the season in style. The dark brown rattan frame and cream-coloured cushions match the colour palette of the autumn season, too!
Get your coat on, grab a hot drink, and enjoy the crisp autumn air on a quality set of garden furniture. Cover it with plastic coverings or store it in your garden building to keep it safe from rain and leaves between uses.
With the Marbella, you can throw a garden party to wave goodbye to summer and a welcoming one for fall.
Round-up
William Cullen Bryant described autumn as “the year’s last, loveliest smile.” Knowing that autumn is beautiful allows you to make the most of it in your garden. So make your outdoor spaces, from your porch and patio to garden patches, cosier this season. The effort you put in now will pay off in the coming seasons with vibrant blooms and a rich harvest!
Up next on your reading list: Christmas Garden Ideas for a Jolly Outdoor Space
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