Stack it!

Leaf stack

On your fall walks, collect leaves and other natural materials that catch your eye and try the that’s big on . Leave your stacks on a neighbor’s porch as a surprise, or, if you’re collecting edibles, arrange them on a plate and eat them. Above are some examples, using Japanese maples, gingko, elm, oak, maple, magnolia grandiflora, and hydrangea, embellished with ferns and rose hips, poppy pods and nuts. Afix a paper clip to the back of the leaf, and you’ve got a holiday ornament.

Pumpkin stack

Use a “cheese” pumpkin or other squat squash to create a wide, solid base, and then stack away. Add unexpected tinges of blue with Australian pumpkins.

Decorate it!

Pumpkin Project

Get the whole family involved in this fun activity. Give pumkins a quick coat of non-toxic water-based paint; then glue on decorations. Note that the glued-on items should be discarded before composting.

Project set up: Lay out a newspaper underneath and prop up a pumpkin on a brick outside before painting.

Arrange it!

Fall cornucopia

Fill a grapevine twig cornucopia with clippings from your garden or found natural material. You can add your cornucopia to a tabletop or hang it on the front door.

Start with a bit of floral foam and tuck in or use a glue gun to secure items such as stiff-stemmed grasses in flower; small gourds or nuts; a few stems of colorful kale (green, lacinato, or redbor); sprigs of bright green chrysanthemum, dried hydrangea, soft white pine needles, pinecones, etc.