Pumpkins and Gourds Beyond the Jack-o-Lantern
Pumpkins are the stars of the season, but they’re not just for carving.
Table displays: Mini pumpkins and colorful gourds add natural charm to a centerpiece.
Serving dishes: Hollowed-out sugar pumpkins can hold soups, dips, or baked custards.
Long-lasting decoration: Wipe gourds and pumpkins with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) to slow decay and extend their indoor life.
Many hard-shelled gourds can be dried and later crafted into birdhouses, bowls, or ornaments. This was once a traditional farm practice — practical and decorative.
Leaves and Seed Heads for Autumn Beauty
Raking piles of leaves is inevitable, but setting aside a few of the most colorful can bring the season indoors.
- Pressed leaves: Layer between wax paper or in heavy books to create natural bookmarks or frameable art.
Wreaths and garlands: Combine bright leaves with acorns, pinecones, or crabapple branches.
Table scatter: Dried leaves, paired with seed heads from sunflowers or rudbeckia, make an easy seasonal accent.
Seed pods — like milkweed, poppy, or love-in-a-mist — can be dried and added to bouquets. Sunflower heads can be hung as bird feeders, doubling beauty with function.
Garden Herbs and Flowers in the Home
Fall is also a perfect time to bring herbs and late-blooming flowers indoors.
Dried herbs: Bundles of thyme, sage, or oregano not only flavor autumn cooking but also scent the kitchen.
Everlastings: Flowers like strawflower, statice, and globe amaranth hold their color when dried, brightening indoor arrangements.
Aromatic décor: Lavender stems, mint sprigs, or even fennel seed heads can be tied into small sachets or seasonal potpourri.
Fun for Families
Involving children or grandchildren adds joy to the season. Let kids paint pumpkins instead of carving for longer-lasting decorations. Press leaves into shapes for greeting cards. Fill clear jars with acorns, gourds, and berries for a simple, kid-friendly display. These projects connect younger gardeners to the rhythms of the season and show them that the garden’s value goes beyond the harvest basket.
Closing Thought
Your fall garden is more than a place of work — it’s a source of beauty and creativity. Pumpkins, gourds, leaves, herbs, and seed heads can all be transformed into seasonal decorations that bring warmth into the home. With a little imagination, the bounty of the season will carry you indoors and brighten the darker months ahead.
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