Fall Flower Tip

**Judi Dial** · 09-27-2009, 11:19 AM

A customer came into the farm stand where I work the other day, two other customers and I were talking about how to save $ on fall flowers...what was on sale, for how much, and roughly when. She piped up, "Oh. I don't buy fall flowers. I buy fall-colored flowers in the spring and use them 'til the snow flies."

And isn't that a GREAT idea???

Except for the fact that I never buy fall flowers, except one or two when we have them on sale at the end of the season, it seemed like a really great (and easy...why didn't I think of that?) idea!

Judi

**ladytoysdream** · 09-27-2009, 01:08 PM

A good tip yes

I was in a farm store yesterday and bought some packages of flower seeds marked down to .15 each from 1.59 this spring price.
I am also saving seeds from our sunflowers for planting in the spring.
Some of the seeds are also going to the chickens. A win win flower for us. I get to look at pretty colors in the summer and fall. I went with the shorter varieties this year. I like the red, oranges, and yellows we got.

**Grainlady** · 09-27-2009, 02:09 PM

Great idea. I've collected discounted end-of-the-season flowers and foliage for years, so I have every season covered. The Dollar Tree is a great resource for inexpensive artificial flowers and decorations.

Here's a free idea.... When the large round planters at the front of our home are are done in the fall, we pull out the vegetation, top the potting soil with a large planter saucer that is just below the edge of the planter. Then we fill the saucer with pine cones, which you can get free. I add some essential oils to a portion of the pine cones, which gives off a nice scent walking up to the front door.

I have some artificial fall leaves I tuck in with the pine cones, as well as Indian corn, gourds or pumpkins from the garden. For the winter I tuck some pine boughs into the pots, along with the pine cones. Another free resource.

**mauimagic** · 09-27-2009, 02:17 PM

Great ideas ladies!! Wish we could get pine cones for free!! However, I do have some that I purchased and it is definitely time to get them out and deocrate!! Mahalo for the reminder!! Love having rosemary plants inside for use and for their terrific scent!!

**pollypurebred39** · 09-27-2009, 03:04 PM

Maui dear, I'm not sure how pine cones would ship but I'd be happy to send you some. We are loaded with them out this way.

Polly

**Judi Dial** · 09-27-2009, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

Maui dear, I'm not sure how pine cones would ship but I'd be happy to send you some. We are loaded with them out this way.

Polly

Same here! Also acorns and maple leaves (although they lose their color real quick!).

Judi

**RetiredVeryEarly** · 09-30-2009, 02:25 AM

I don't see it as a good tip for me, I am not keen on fall flower colors if you mean orange and yellow! Certainly I would never buy flowers in the fall and kill some other ones I have just to change their color. Best advice to be frugal is to have mostly perennials, right?

**MyMelody** · 10-04-2009, 06:00 PM

I can vouch for Dollar Tree having awesome fall silk flowers to use for home decor -- that's where I bought my wedding flowers, and I just recycle them in different ways whenever the mood hits me! Work in a little dried eucalyptus and some pine cones, and you can pull off a very realistic look for not much $. They also have little mini faux gourds and pumpkins and leaf garlands, which I like to use with candles on my table for a centerpiece.

**Luckybustert** · 10-04-2009, 06:03 PM

I don't buy fall flowers either but it does sound like a good tip! The craft store here sells pine cones that have a cinnamon scent...I just love to walk past that display! (Have yet to break down and buy any yet but I've been sorely tempted!)