The Painted Apron

A Yardscape, “Pumpkin Planter”

Posted by the Painted Apron on October 10, 2012 · 8 Comments 

We finally have some cooler weather here in the South and can start winter planting.  Pansy plants, cabbages & kale start showing up in the nurseries in September but planting them too early can be throwing money away  because they won’t like the late September heat.  I left HH pulling out leggy begonias and headed out to round up some new plants.

I got pansies, cabbages, purple kale, bok choy, swiss chard, some light green leafy stuff [that I forget the name of], pumpkins

and this “stonecrop” plant

I’m not sure what this is but it reminded me of a lot of plants you see in California so I had to try it.

This planter is my main focus, it sits at the end of the driveway and greets back door visitors.

HH loves to plant

We decided to put the main plant just off center to the left and then added multi colored pansies

then he added 2 more plants and some pumpkins

I love the pumpkins nestled in among the plants

we will move the pumpkins around as the plants grow

It looks really cute!

The challenge will be keeping the squirrels out of it

We decided to use the rest of the pansies and cabbages to fill the planters along the back wall.  The back yard is long and narrow so it’s nice to break up the wall expanse with a little color

We loved the mini pumpkins in the driveway planter so we continued with that theme

Again the challenge will be keeping the “critters” out.

The squirrels love to bury their nuts in the dirt

We just watered!

The mini pumpkins peeking out help pull you down the path…

we still have some work to do…

Our hydrangeas are still blooming!

We do have “broom parking” by the garage,

a place to park your broom…

this one is painted with a friendly witch

with some pumpkins on the handle

And the beginnings of Halloween decor by the front door

The yellow mum that was in the pot looked really cute until it died…so I replaced it with purple kale which is too low and looks stupid…

but my Boo! ghost is helping…not sure about the witch hat though, it would have looked cute but it won’t sit on his head…

so I just tucked the hat to the side for now and am hoping that kale plant grows fast!

I hope I’ve inspired you to add some surprises to your outdoor decor.  Do some price checking before you shell out big $$ for pumpkins, I found good buys at Wal-Mart, Target and Fresh Market.  Home Depot was as high as the private nurseries for some of their pumpkins.  The variety pumpkins are going to be higher priced everywhere, and when you choose any pumpkin or gourd look it over carefully.  If you find any soft spots or breaks in the skin, do not buy as it will begin to rot soon.  IF YOU DO HAVE A PUMPKIN THAT IS DAMAGED, dab some clear nail polish, shellac  or paint on the area to prevent air and further rotting.  I will be spray painting my pumpkins silver in November for Thanksgiving and Christmas so check back for tips on that.

Happy Fall Y’all

StoneGable Fall on the Back Porch