If your backyard is a little worse for wear after some summer entertaining, we've got some cool ideas for freshening up the look. Take some tips from our "D-I-Why Not?" video host, Jeff Meacham, and our expert guide, and go all out for colorful fall florals:
Whether you pick the pop of perennials or the pizzazz of potted plants, our guide will walk you through where to place your fall plantings for a more lovely home landscape.
Here's what you'll need for the projects:
Plants
Potting soil
Garden gloves
Garden shovel
Garden tiller
Mulch
Decorative plant pots
Watering can
Planting flowers
Once you've decided a decorative layout of plants around your yard (making sure that no plants will overlap one another), begin digging the holes where you'll place your plants.
A plant's pot size will determine how deep and wide you need to dig. Don't overdo the digging, but create a hole at least 2" deeper than the plant's root ball, leaving room to back fill with soil. Gently work the dirt at the bottom of the hole with a tiller, turning the dirt over and allowing a loose "soil base," so the roots will have room to grow.
Now remove a plant from its pot, grabbing the pot securely at the base, tipping it over, and gently pulling the plant out.
Sprinkle some planting soil into the hole to add nutrients for the plant's growth.
Decorating tip: While the plants are still in their pots, try placing them at different spots around your yard - together or as single items - to determine the look you want among several possible colors and arrangements.
Use your hand to lightly loosen the root ball, and let its good soil mix with the ground soil.
Once you've set the plant into the hole, make sure that the top of the root ball is below the level of the surrounding ground. Use your foot to firmly pack the loose soil around the plant.
Finally, add a 1/4" - 1/2" layer of mulch around the plant as a moisture barrier. Add water as needed. You're done!
Potting plants
Once you've selected a large, decorative pot, and filled it about 1/3 to 1/2 full of potting soil, you can add a beautiful arrangement of floral "thrillers," "fillers," and "spillers."
Thrillers are tall plants that help grab attention for your potted arrangement. Fillers add colorful accents. Spillers hang over the rim of the pot to soften the look.
Combine all three types of plants into the pot, and add extra potting soil as needed to pack them in and keep the arrangement firm.
Add a layer of mulch and water immediately. That's it!
Once you're done decorating with fresh plants, invite your family and friends to some backyard entertainment - and give them a look at your new floral surroundings!
Eager to try more "D-I-Why Not?" projects? Check out our latest videos. You can learn how to turn a spare room into an attractive home office. Or adorn a plain wall with custom-made photo frames. And in early October, watch our new video of clever tips to create your own "man cave," complete with a custom-built TV stand and framed sports memorabilia.
Share comments here about how your project went, and also post photos of the finished look on Yahoo! Homes Flickr to amaze your friends!
