Creative Planter & Container Ideas for Fall Porches 🍂

When autumn arrives, our porches become the perfect place to celebrate the season’s colors and textures. Adding fall-inspired containers not only brings warmth to your entryway but also creates a welcoming space for family and guests. This season, think beyond the traditional terracotta pot—there are plenty of creative and unique containers you can use for your fall porch display. Here are three fun ideas, along with the best plants to pair them with and tips for care.

1. Rustic Apple Crates Turned Planters

Container Idea: Wooden apple crates or vintage produce boxes bring instant rustic charm. You can either line the inside with landscape fabric and soil or set smaller pots directly inside.

Plant Pairings:

Ornamental cabbages and kales for bold texture
Pansies for pops of vibrant fall color
Creeping Jenny or ivy to spill over the edges

Care Tips:

Place crates in a sunny to partly shaded area for best bloom and color.
Water consistently but avoid overwatering since crates often drain quickly.
Refresh spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

2. Repurposed Lanterns as Mini Planters

Container Idea: Oversized lanterns (with the glass removed or left in) make charming mini greenhouses for fall porch displays. Use them to hold smaller pots or plant directly inside with good drainage.

Plant Pairings:

Succulents like hens-and-chicks for a low-maintenance look
Small mums for bursts of orange, yellow, or burgundy
Dwarf ornamental grasses for a touch of height

Care Tips:

Ensure proper drainage—add gravel at the base if planting directly in.
Water lightly, especially if using succulents (they don’t like soggy soil).
Rotate lanterns to give all sides of the plants some sun.

3. Vintage Wheelbarrow Fall Garden

Container Idea: An old wheelbarrow makes a statement piece for your porch or walkway. Fill it with potting soil or arrange multiple pots inside for a layered, mobile display.

Plant Pairings:

Pumpkins and gourds mixed with trailing vines
Chrysanthemums for bright fall blooms
Heuchera (coral bells) for striking foliage color

Care Tips:

Position in full sun to part shade depending on your chosen plants.
Water deeply once or twice a week, letting the soil dry a bit between waterings.
Mix in fall décor like corn stalks, pinecones, or fairy lights for extra charm.

General Fall Plant Care

Sunlight: Most fall plants thrive in full to partial sun, so place containers where they get at least 4–6 hours of light.
Watering: Cooler temps mean plants don’t dry out as quickly—check soil moisture before watering.
Fertilizer: Add a slow-release fertilizer at planting time to keep blooms and foliage strong throughout the season.
Season Extension: As frost approaches, cover plants at night or bring containers closer to the house for added warmth.

🍁 With a little creativity, your porch can become a cozy fall showcase. Whether you repurpose old crates, lanterns, or a wheelbarrow, pairing them with colorful seasonal plants will bring life and charm to your outdoor space all season long.

Monstera Plant Care Guide: How to Grow the Iconic “Swiss Cheese Plant”

Few houseplants are as instantly recognizable as the Monstera deliciosa. With its lush green leaves and dramatic natural fenestrations (those eye-catching holes and splits), the Monstera has earned its place as a must-have in homes and offices. While it looks tropical and exotic, it’s surprisingly easy to care for once you know the basics.

Let’s dive into how to keep your Monstera thriving, from light and watering to propagation and overall care.

☀️ Light Needs

Monsteras love bright, indirect light. Think of the dappled sunlight they’d get under a jungle canopy. Too much direct sun can scorch their leaves, while too little light may cause them to grow leggy and produce fewer splits.

Best spot: Near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west window.
Low light warning: Monsteras can survive lower light, but growth will slow, and leaves may stay small without splits.

💧 Watering Tips

Monsteras prefer soil that’s lightly moist but never soggy.

Check first: Stick your finger 1–2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Water thoroughly: Give the plant a deep drink until water drains from the bottom of the pot, then empty the saucer.
Winter care: In cooler months, reduce watering as growth slows.

👉 Overwatering is the most common mistake—watch for yellowing leaves as a sign of too much water.

🌱 Propagation

Monsteras are easy to propagate, which makes them great for sharing with friends.

Find a node: Look for a stem section with a leaf and an aerial root (those little brown nub-like roots).
Cut below the node: Use clean, sharp scissors or shears.
Root in water or soil:
- Water method: Place the cutting in a jar of water, changing the water every few days until roots are a few inches long.
- Soil method: Plant directly in moist, well-draining potting mix, keeping it humid until roots establish.

🌿 General Care Tips

Soil: Use a chunky, well-draining mix (potting soil + perlite + orchid bark works well).
Humidity: Monsteras enjoy extra humidity but adapt fine to average homes. A pebble tray or occasional misting can help.
Fertilizer: During spring and summer, feed monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Support: As Monsteras grow, they often need a moss pole or trellis to climb on—just like in the wild.

✨ Final Thoughts

Caring for a Monstera is rewarding because it responds quickly to good care, showing off new leaves with each growth spurt. With proper light, the right watering schedule, and occasional pruning or propagation, your Monstera will become a stunning, statement-making plant that can live for decades.

How to Grow a Fall Edible Garden with Herbs and Flowers

Fall isn’t just for pumpkins and colorful leaves—it’s also a perfect season to grow an edible garden filled with flavorful herbs and beautiful flowers. Whether you’re in Zone 6, 7, or 8, you can enjoy fresh harvests well into the cooler months. Edible gardens in the fall not only bring flavor to your kitchen but also add pollinator-friendly flowers that extend color in your garden.

Why Grow a Fall Edible Garden?

Extended Harvest – Many herbs and flowers thrive in cooler weather, giving you fresh flavors past summer.
Pollinator Support – Edible flowers keep bees and butterflies visiting until the first frost.
Flavorful Kitchen Additions – Fresh herbs and edible blooms elevate fall soups, stews, and teas.

Best Edible Herbs for Fall Planting

🌿 Cilantro – Loves cool weather and grows best in fall. Perfect for soups, chili, and garnishes.
🌿 Parsley – Hardy in cooler temps, and it will overwinter in Zones 7–8.
🌿 Thyme – A perennial herb that thrives in fall and adds depth to roasted meats and veggies.
🌿 Chives – Quick to grow and perfect for salads, potatoes, or dips.
🌿 Oregano – Another hardy perennial that keeps going even as temperatures dip.

Best Edible Flowers for Fall Planting

🌸 Calendula – Bright orange and yellow blooms that are edible and medicinal. Great for teas or salads.
🌸 Nasturtiums – Peppery leaves and flowers that add zest to fall salads.
🌸 Pansies & Violas – Cold-hardy flowers that keep blooming through light frost. Their petals are edible and make desserts and drinks extra pretty.
🌸 Chamomile – A soothing herb-flower that thrives in cooler weather and can be harvested for calming tea.

What to Plant by Zone

🌱 Zone 6 (first frost: mid-October)

Plant by late August–early September for herbs like cilantro, parsley, and chives.
Edible flowers such as calendula, pansies, and nasturtiums should also go in by early September for fall blooms.
Consider cold frames or row covers to extend your season into late fall.

🌱 Zone 7 (first frost: late October–early November)

Plant September–early October for cilantro, parsley, thyme, and chives.
Flowers like violas, calendula, and nasturtiums can go in early fall and often last until the first hard freeze.
Chamomile will establish well in fall and continue in spring.

🌱 Zone 8 (first frost: November–December)

Plant herbs through October and into early November. Parsley, oregano, thyme, and cilantro thrive.
Flowers such as pansies, calendula, and nasturtiums can bloom all winter with mild protection.
Many herbs (like oregano and thyme) will overwinter easily in Zone 8 and be ready to burst back in spring.

Tips for a Successful Fall Edible Garden

Use rich, well-drained soil with compost to keep herbs and flowers healthy.
Mulch around plants to retain warmth and moisture.
Protect from early frosts with fabric row covers or cold frames if needed.
Harvest often to encourage fresh growth and prolong bloom.

🍂 Growing an edible fall garden means you’ll have herbs and flowers ready for cooking, teas, and garnishes—while also enjoying a colorful, pollinator-friendly garden late into the season. With the right timing and plant choices for your zone, you can savor the flavors of fall right from your backyard!

Succulent Gardens

How to Create an Outdoor Succulent Garden

Succulents are some of the most low-maintenance yet eye-catching plants you can grow in your garden. With their diverse shapes, bold colors, and drought-tolerant nature, they’re perfect for creating an outdoor garden that is both beautiful and easy to care for. If you’ve been thinking about starting an outdoor succulent garden, here’s your complete guide to getting started—from the best succulents to plant, to where to place them, and which garden zones are ideal for success.

Why Succulents Make Great Outdoor Plants

Succulents are uniquely designed to survive in harsh conditions. Their fleshy leaves and stems store water, allowing them to handle long stretches without rain. This makes them excellent choices for gardeners in hot, dry regions—or for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much time watering. Plus, succulents come in so many varieties that you can design a truly unique outdoor garden full of texture and color.

The Best Succulents for Outdoor Gardens

When selecting succulents for outdoor planting, it’s important to choose ones that are hardy and can withstand varying weather conditions. Here are some of the best options:

Sedum (Stonecrop): Extremely hardy, comes in trailing or upright forms, and survives both heat and cold.
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks): Known for their rosette shapes and ability to withstand frost, these are excellent for cooler climates.
Agave: Bold and architectural, perfect for a dramatic centerpiece in warm climates.
Aloe Vera: Hardy in warmer zones, adds a tropical look while also being useful for its medicinal gel.
Echeveria: Popular rosette succulents with a wide range of colors, great for containers or raised beds.
Ice Plant (Delosperma): Known for its bright flowers and ability to spread, making it great as a ground cover.
Yucca: Not technically a succulent, but pairs well with them and thrives in the same conditions.

Garden Zones Best for Outdoor Succulent Gardens

Succulents thrive outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Zones 9–11: Perfect for most succulents, including agaves, aloes, and echeverias. These warm climates allow year-round outdoor growth.
Zones 7–8: Hardy succulents like hens and chicks and sedums can survive cold winters and still come back in spring.
Zones below 7: Succulents can still be grown outdoors seasonally, but you’ll need to bring tender varieties inside for winter or cover them with frost cloth.

Best Places to Plant Your Succulent Garden

Placement is key when it comes to growing succulents outdoors. Here are some ideal spots:

Rock Gardens: Succulents thrive in well-draining soil, and rocks provide natural drainage and heat retention.
Raised Beds: Perfect for controlling soil quality and ensuring proper drainage.
Slopes or Hillsides: Water drains quickly on slopes, which mimics the succulents’ natural desert habitat.
Patio or Entryway Containers: Containers can be grouped together to create a focal point and can be moved if needed for weather protection.
Sunny Borders: Most succulents love 6–8 hours of full sun each day, making south-facing areas the best choice.

Tips for Creating a Successful Outdoor Succulent Garden

Soil: Use a sandy, gritty, or cactus-specific soil mix that drains quickly.
Watering: Deeply water, then let soil dry out completely before watering again.
Spacing: Give plants room to spread; overcrowding can cause rot.
Winter Care: In colder zones, cover plants with frost cloth or grow in containers that can be moved inside.
Design Tip: Mix tall statement succulents like agave or yucca with low-growing varieties like hens and chicks for visual interest.

Final Thoughts

An outdoor succulent garden is the perfect blend of beauty and resilience. With minimal maintenance, these hardy plants can transform your outdoor space into a vibrant desert-inspired retreat. Whether you live in a warm, sunny climate year-round or want to experiment with cold-hardy succulents, there’s a way to make it work in your garden.

Square Foot Gardening: A Simple Way to Grow More in Less Space

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a garden but felt limited by space or overwhelmed by the upkeep, square foot gardening might be just what you need. This method is perfect for beginners, small yards, or anyone who wants to grow a lot of food without spending hours weeding. Let’s dive into what it is, how to make one, what to plant, and the best place to put it.

🌱 What Is a Square Foot Garden?

Square foot gardening is a method developed by Mel Bartholomew that uses a raised bed divided into one-foot sections. Instead of planting long rows, you grow different crops in each square foot, making it highly organized and space-efficient. This method helps reduce wasted space, conserves water, and keeps maintenance simple.

🛠️ How to Create a Square Foot Garden

Build or Buy a Raised Bed
- Start with a raised bed about 4 feet wide by 4 feet long (16 square feet total).
- The bed should be 6–12 inches deep. You can build one with untreated wood, bricks, or even purchase premade kits.
Divide into Squares
- Use string, wood slats, or twine to divide the bed into 16 equal 1-foot squares.
Fill with Soil Mix
- A great mix is 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss (or coco coir), and 1/3 vermiculite.
- This blend is light, nutrient-rich, and drains well.
Plant Your Crops by Spacing
- Each square foot can hold a different number of plants depending on their size. For example:
  - 16 carrots or radishes per square
  - 9 spinach or beets per square
  - 4 lettuce or chard per square
  - 1 tomato, pepper, or broccoli per square
Add Mulch and Water Regularly
- Mulching helps retain moisture.
- Water deeply but gently to keep roots happy.

🌿 What to Plant in a Square Foot Garden

Square foot gardens are versatile—you can grow almost anything! Here are some great choices:

Herbs: Basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme
Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard
Root Crops: Carrots, radishes, beets, onions
Compact Vegetables: Bush beans, peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers (trellised)
Companion Flowers: Marigolds or nasturtiums to repel pests

For best results, plant a mix of fast-growing crops (radishes, lettuce) with slower ones (tomatoes, peppers) so your garden always has something to harvest.

🌞 Best Location for a Square Foot Garden

The beauty of this method is that you don’t need a huge yard. Here’s where to place it:

Full Sun: At least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for most vegetables.
Level Ground: A flat area ensures even watering.
Close to Water: Keep it near a hose or rain barrel for easy access.
Good Drainage: Avoid low, soggy areas that collect water.

If you don’t have an outdoor yard, you can even set up smaller square foot gardens in containers or raised planters on patios and balconies.

🌻 Final Thoughts

Square foot gardening is a simple, organized, and rewarding way to grow your own food. With just a small space and a little planning, you can enjoy fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers right outside your door. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, this method helps maximize every inch of your growing area—making gardening less overwhelming and more fun!