Outdoor Living in the Fall: Make the Most of Your Backyard Before Winter Arrives
When summer begins to fade and the temperatures start to cool, many homeowners naturally begin spending less time outdoors. But here in the Treasure Valley, September and October can be some of the most enjoyable months of the year to use your outdoor living space.
The intense heat of summer is behind us, the evenings become more comfortable, and the landscape takes on beautiful fall color.
Before you pack away the patio furniture and close up the backyard for winter, consider making a few simple changes that can help you enjoy your outdoor space for several more weeks.
Create a Comfortable Place to Sit
Outdoor living doesn't have to mean a large patio, an elaborate outdoor kitchen, or an expensive renovation.
Sometimes all it takes is a comfortable chair, a small table, and a pleasant place to enjoy your morning coffee or an evening conversation. As a writer, I find this time of year as an excellent time of year to invite our family and friends over for dinner and relax on the patio which is just big enough to accommodate our guests while getting them out of the kitchen where my wife, the chief chef can do her thing.
As temperatures drop, add cushions, throws, or blankets to make the area feel warmer and more inviting. Even a small seating area tucked beneath a tree or beside a garden can become a favorite place to spend a fall afternoon.
Bring Fall Color Into the Landscape
Fall is a wonderful time to add seasonal color around patios, porches, walkways, and outdoor seating areas.
Containers filled with fall-interest plants such as a large container filled with Karl Foester grass, pink geraniums, and trailing black potato vine can quickly change the appearance of an outdoor space. Ornamental grasses, pansies, ornamental cabbage and kale, mums, and other cool-season plants is another thought that provides color and texture as summer flowers begin to fade.
You don't have to redesign your landscape. A few strategically placed containers can make a surprisingly big difference.
Don't Forget Outdoor Lighting
One of the biggest changes that comes with fall is the shorter daylight hours.
Outdoor lighting can allow you to continue enjoying your backyard after the sun goes down while also adding warmth and atmosphere. Don’t have an electrical outlet nearby? These days there are plenty of solar-light options available that can resolve that issue.
Path lights, landscape lighting, accent lighting, and decorative fixtures can highlight trees, garden beds, patios, and architectural features. Even a few well-placed lights can make an outdoor space feel completely different in the evening.
Add a Little Personality
Your outdoor living space should feel like an extension of your home.
This is where decorative touches can make a difference.
Garden art, statuary, decorative objects, pottery, birdbaths, and other accents can add personality to an outdoor space. They can also provide visual interest during the months when fewer plants are blooming.
The key is to use these elements thoughtfully. One interesting piece in the right location can have more impact than filling every available space with decorations.
Make Room for Fall Gatherings
Fall is a wonderful season for entertaining outdoors.
A comfortable seating area can become the perfect place for visiting with friends and family, enjoying a meal, or simply sitting around and enjoying the evening.
Keep a few blankets nearby for cooler nights, add some lighting, and consider serving warm drinks or a seasonal meal.
You may find that your backyard becomes more enjoyable in September and October than it was during the hottest part of July.
Enjoy the Garden From a Different Perspective
One of the pleasures of outdoor living in fall is that the garden changes.
Instead of focusing only on flowers, take time to notice the changing colors of trees and shrubs, ornamental grasses moving in the breeze, berries developing on certain plants, and the changing light of the season.
Sometimes simply moving your chair to a different part of the yard gives you an entirely new view. Here’s another thought: Change the color of your outdoor furniture. Even a slight change in color can give you a new feeling about relaxing outdoors during the fall months.
A garden doesn't have to be in peak bloom to be enjoyable.
Don't Put Everything Away Too Soon
We often think of outdoor living as something that ends when summer is over.
But in the Treasure Valley, there can be many beautiful fall days and evenings still ahead.
Rather than putting everything away at the first sign of cooler weather, consider keeping your outdoor space functional for as long as the weather allows. Many of our gardening folks have a propane outdoor heater that can extend the outdoor living environment another few weeks.
You can gradually transition the space as temperatures fall—bringing in cushions and delicate accessories first, while leaving durable furniture and other weather-resistant elements in place.
Start Thinking About Winter
While there is still plenty of time to enjoy fall, this is also a good opportunity to look around and decide what needs attention before winter arrives.
Check outdoor furniture, containers, decorative items, irrigation, and other landscape features. Some items may need to be moved to a protected location, while others can remain outside with proper care.
A little preparation now can make spring cleanup much easier.
Outdoor Living Doesn't Have to End With Summer
One of the best things about living in the Treasure Valley is experiencing four distinct seasons.
Our outdoor spaces don't have to be used only during the warmest months of the year. With a few thoughtful changes, your patio, porch, deck, or garden can remain a comfortable and enjoyable part of your home well into fall.
So before you close the door on summer, take another look at your backyard.
Add a little fall color. Rearrange the furniture. Bring out a few comfortable blankets. Turn on the outdoor lights. Invite a friend over and enjoy an evening outside.
You may discover that fall is one of the best seasons for outdoor living.
At The Home & Garden Store, we believe your home and garden should be enjoyed throughout the seasons. Whether you're looking to add seasonal color, decorative accents, or simply find a way to make your outdoor space more inviting, a few small changes can make a big difference.
Don't let summer's end signal the end of outdoor living. There is still plenty of fall to enjoy.
Charlie H.
Idaho Certified Nurseyman
The Home & Garden Store – 4291 S. Cloverdale Rd – Boise, Idaho
Aloha Home and Garden
4291 S. Cloverdale Rd – Boise, Idaho 83709
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