10.23.2009

Fall Decorating for the Black Thumbs Among Us

You may or may not remember my problem with plants...keeping them alive, that is. But I will assure you, I have a problem. Whatever creative ability I have is strictly limited to crafts and decorating. The gardening gene has totally eluded me.

So every fall I have this debate in my head: Should I buy some mums for the front porch? I know I will kill them. But they look so pretty! But they'll be dead in a week. But I like them! Seriously with this? Dead. In a week. Bummer!

This year I decided to skip the mums, save the money, and just put pumpkins in the places where plants usually go. So my urns? They are now holding fake grass ($2 at W*lMart) and a cute pumpkin.

My tabletop has a dried gourd that requires no green thumb from me.

And my window boxes have an array of mini-pumpkins and gourds.

This makes me happy because 1) I still get that pop of fall color on my front porch, 2) this stuff can stay on the porch through Thanksgiving, look all cute and autumn-y, but 3) no watering!

Give it a try if you are as "challenged" as I am!
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33 comments:

  1. Sharon@Sharon at HomeOctober 23, 2009 at 6:57 AM

    Doesn't have to be "alive" to be beautiful. The spirit is the thing. Love your windowboxes.

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  2. The Starr FamilyOctober 23, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    Looks lovely... and no "dead-heading" those nasty mums!

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  3. Ruby Red SlippersOctober 23, 2009 at 7:01 AM

    Your decor, is MY decor! I also have a black thumb, and debated internally about the mums-I decided I would rather spend 40 dolllars on something I could keep, so made a trip to Hobby Lobby instead...I just killed off my final plant...I am just terrible with living plants-

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  4. NancyOctober 23, 2009 at 7:04 AM

    i was going to buy some "fallish" stuff today to put in my window boxes with a little moss. Great ideas... i'm off!

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  5. KelliOctober 23, 2009 at 7:16 AM

    Smart. I love the window box because little pumpkins are my favorite. Happy Fall!

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  6. Laurel @ Ducks in a RowOctober 23, 2009 at 7:17 AM

    Fall is perfect - with all the pumpkins and gourds - no watering needed! Yours looks great.

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  7. Art by Darla KayOctober 23, 2009 at 7:25 AM

    Looks fantastic! Fall decorating is so cozy I think!
    Darla

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  8. Wendy October 23, 2009 at 7:37 AM

    So funny....I posted about putting gourds in window boxes today as well. Great minds think alike!!!

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  9. Real Housewife of Broke CountyOctober 23, 2009 at 7:40 AM

    Your porch looks fabulous and screams fall! I'm not a huge fan of mums so adore the use of lots and lots of pumpkins!

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  10. duchessOctober 23, 2009 at 7:53 AM

    Great alternative. I'm shocked my mums are still living - I seriously doubt they'll make it til Thanksgiving.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  11. southerninspirationOctober 23, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    Mums are like azaleas; they look great for about a WEEK.....pumpkins last a little longer and look great. Nice job!

    Suzanne

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  12. JbooOctober 23, 2009 at 8:53 AM

    So cute! My only problem is that the squirrels in the neighborhood would be having a huge party and inviting all their friends if I put real pumpkins and gourds out! Believe me, squirrels are messy partiers -- pumpkin guts everywhere! I may try fake pumpkins!

    Hope you have a great weekend!

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  13. TiffanyOctober 23, 2009 at 10:45 AM

    This cracked me up because I have very similar urns on my front porch. I went for the mums this year, beautiful fully orange ones. Loved them. They died just a couple weeks later because I suck. : ) I love your solution to this issue. It all looks great and I will keep this in mind for next year instead of wasting money. : )

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  14. SoBella CreationsOctober 23, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    I love the numbered pumpkins.

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  15. JessicaOctober 23, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    This is my idea of decorating too, Carrie! I painted some pumpkins this year and tied a cute ribbon on them - they now decorate the house and require no watering! :)

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  16. JenniferOctober 23, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    So cute - thanks for sharing your ideas!No mums for me either.

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  17. SunnyOctober 23, 2009 at 12:48 PM

    I love your little front porch table with the rug and everything!

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  18. carolynOctober 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Fellow black thumb here ... if I could just convince my in-laws to stop buying me mums every fall. Oh, and they expect me to PLANT them before the snow. Love your decorating ideas - thanks for the inspiration.

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  19. LanaOctober 23, 2009 at 3:25 PM

    You are so funny! I love the pumpkins...they look great!

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  20. GretchenOctober 23, 2009 at 7:36 PM

    We must be related...I am the same way. I even have that same conversation with myself regarding the mums! I like your pumpkin idea.

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  21. NoodleOctober 23, 2009 at 8:19 PM

    I adore your pumpkins! I would never have thought of the little pumpkins and the gourd in windowboxes! I have a black thumb also, so I'm taking notes!

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  22. sherriOctober 24, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    Love it all! I haven't been by in awhile...I've been missing alot! The new blog look is awesome!

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  23. SueOctober 24, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    I guess I am one step ahead of you in the color business. My thumb is only brown. I keep plants for months, sometimes up to a year, then BAM - they die! Go figure...
    Love your numbered pumpkins & your window box of gourds/pumpkins. My mums are still alive and pretty. Shock! You can see them in my last post.
    :-) Sue

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  24. LouLouOctober 24, 2009 at 7:34 PM

    Oh how I love a punkin....We went to our local farmer's market today, and I ooohed, ahhhhed, and packed my car full of so many different types and colors... There are tons to see over on my blog. LOVE yours!

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  25. LouLouOctober 24, 2009 at 7:35 PM

    Oops... Since I have about 22 blogs I thought I should leave you the address!
    thelifeofloulou.blogspot.com...

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  26. Lisa & GeraldOctober 24, 2009 at 8:33 PM

    too cute..love it...

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  27. VictoriaOctober 25, 2009 at 6:48 AM

    Looks great! No watering...that's always a win-win! ;)

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  28. {northern cottage}October 26, 2009 at 4:32 PM

    As always - darling post!!! You've been awarded the Kreativ Blog Award here -

    http://northerncottage.blogspot.com/2009/10/our-house-has-it.html

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  29. JoOctober 26, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    Love all your fall primping! I'm going to attempt to monogram a pumpkin ~ I'll post if it works out.

    Your bracelet is fabulous. I really like the idea of using your anniversary date.

    Jo

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  30. JoOctober 26, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    Love all your fall primping! I'm going to attempt to monogram a pumpkin ~ I'll post if it works out.

    Your bracelet is fabulous. I really like the idea of using your anniversary date.

    Jo

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  31. JaneanOctober 26, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    Very clever!

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  32. UnknownNovember 2, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    Yay for living things you can't kill : )

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  33. JamieNovember 20, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    I love those numbered pumpkins!

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Thank you so much for your comments! Please know that I read each and every one. I would dearly love to visit each of you in return, but sometimes life's busyness wins out! :)