The bats came down a few days ago and already people on the street are asking about what we’ll be putting up for Thanksgiving. It’s been kind of funny.
Once you start something… I guess you’ve got to keep it going, right? 😉
But how do you decorate {outdoors} for Thanksgiving? Giant turkeys in the lawn? Hmmm, I don’t know.
I thought about making another round of themed buoys. Ones with pumpkins, turkeys, acorns and other Thanksgiving themes painted on them. But then I decided against it.
I thought maybe just leaving the giant pumpkin display out front would suffice. A flock of giant turkeys in front of the fence and on the lawn might seem a bit weird.
I did swipe a few pumpkins from my display though for roasting and for pies.
In years past I’ve stored our extra pumpkins and squash {and even potatoes} in the basement. We don’t have a basement at this place though and space is kind of at a premium.
I figured three would be enough to get the job done. I might go back for one more. We’ll see.
The good news is, gardening season is officially over here in Southern Maine. We’ve had a couple of good frosts and pretty much all the plants are done for the season. Which in my book, is a WONDERFUL thing.
One of my favorite parts about living in Maine is that we get to enjoy all four seasons here. Granted, some are longer than others… But still, we get them all.
Yesterday I tidied up the plants in the side yard and moved all the pots of hydrangeas and perennials I bought on clearance last month over there.
I still haven’t completely decided what I’m going to do with the side yard. My initial thought was limelight hydrangeas on both the fence side and the house side and a simple garden path to the backyard.
My second thought was hydrangeas on the house side and a nice peony border on the fence side.
But now I’m wondering if I’d maybe have enough room to do hydrangeas on both sides and then a peony border in front of the hydrangeas with a walkway in the middle.
I just don’t know. I suppose I’ve got the winter to think about it.
What do you think? That side yard section is about 12 feet wide. Any ideas?
~Mavis
Mel says
I think leaf cutouts on the side of the house would be nice for Thanksgiving. Then move to Holly, snowflakes, hearts, shamrocks, eggs, etc.
Ashley Bananas says
I wouldn’t do anything to the side yard. I’d let it be for Lucy and people to have room to walk. You can have too much of a good thing.
Jam says
I think you need a garden/yard flag and then make your own holiday flag.
Michelle says
I was thinking about doing peonies near our house as well, but I’m worried that they would attract ants into the house. Have you had that experience? We have enough trouble with ants inside as it is. Or do they stick to crawling on the peony plants? Appreciate anyone’s input!
Mavis Butterfield says
No, that ants are really just there to open up the blooms. We’ve never had a problem.
Susan says
For Thanksgiving, you could put up cornucopias and pumpkins!
For the space between the house and fence, do both of the flowers and then a 3′ wide garden bed down the middle with walkways on either side.
Here in the PNW, I’m still waiting for the first frost which might be later this week. I still have 2 types of tubers and sweet potatoes that I’ll harvest after the first frost. But, otherwise I have put the garden to bed for the winter. I added about 6″ of garden mix soil over top of all the growing areas and then covered all of that with a layer of leaves. My fall garden didn’t do much, so I gave up and just covered it all. I’m hoping that doing this in the fall and then adding another layer of compost or more garden mix soil over top will help the garden be a bit more prolific next year.
Tamara says
Hydrangeas next to the house, peonies next to the fence. Walk down the middle.
Teri says
I think I would just leave the pumpkins for Thanksgiving and maybe put a fall looking wreath on the door and decorate for Christmas after that. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Diane says
I would love to see where are you decided to plant all the bulbs you ordered. May be an aerial view of your yard to see the layout? I haven’t finished planting mine, and I need some inspiration!
sandy says
A giant cornucopia on the roof with veggies falling out of it down the wall…
Emily says
Keep in mind the mature size of the plants when you decide what to put in the side yard. You want enough room to walk comfortably and maybe even take a wheel barrow through. Our old house side yard was basically no-man’s land because the prior homeowners planted a beautiful border of hostas and shrubs on either side of the path, that had totally annihilated the path by the time we bought the house.
Trace says
Limelight’s everywhere! Love them
Diana near Atlanta says
Based on your picture, it looks like you have enough space on the house side to put the hydrangeas and the peonies. As for the fence side, it would depend on how much space you’re allocating to the walkway. Figure that out then see how much space is left. If it matches the house side relatively closely, then put the same on that side.
If it’s a lot smaller, you might consider putting a border of various perennial herbs. Not sure what will survive up there, but if none can be found, then put one in each summer. Lavendar, rosemary, sages, etc. As you walk along the path, the scents will go along with you. Sounds lovely…