A Southern Welcome to Fall

Down here in the South, we measure the seasons not by the calendar but by the sweat. The minute I start sweating just a little less than a Bourbon Street hooker in church on Sunday morning, I know it’s official: fall has finally arrived! And Lord have mercy, it is my favorite time of year. Cooler nights, football on the weekends, hometown festivals, holidays coming around the bend — but most importantly, I get to roll up my sleeves and plant my fall garden. 

Do you garden? If so, what’s your favorite season to garden? There is just something about a fall garden that I love! Trust me, if 28-year-old Laura heard 45-year-old Laura saying this, she would laugh her butt off and roll her eyes into oblivion. But, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being in my garden in the fall. So, let’s talk FALL GARDENS!  

Why Fall Gardening Works So Well in the South 

Southern summers are brutal. Ask any tomato plant that’s fainted on a July afternoon in South Louisiana, and it will tell you: I’m tired. But come September, the game changes: 

• 🌡️ Warm soil from summer means seeds germinate faster. 

• 🌤️ Milder daytime temps keep plants from wilting like your Aunt Linda at a family reunion. 

• 🐜 Fewer pests stick around — though fire ants will never leave. 

• 🥬 Sweet, tender harvests — frost actually improves flavor for many veggies. 

🌼 MUMS: The FALL ROCKSTAR of Southern Porches 

You can’t walk down a Southern street in October without seeing them — giant, overflowing pots of chrysanthemums (or “mums,” as we all call them) proudly perched on porches, steps, and driveways. They are as much a fall staple as football tailgates, pumpkin pie, and monogrammed front door wreaths. 

Why? Because mums are: 

• Big and bold. They come in every shade of fall: golden yellow, deep burgundy, pumpkin orange, snowy white, and even purples and pinks. 

• Long-lasting. With the right care, they bloom for weeks and carry your porch through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and even into Christmas if you time it right. 

• Affordable drama. A few $10–$15 pots can transform your whole porch into a fall magazine cover. 

🪴 How to Keep Mums Gorgeous on the Porch 

Mums look carefree, but they’re actually a little high-maintenance if you want them to stay stunning. 

1. Pick buds, not full blooms. They’ll last longer because you’ll enjoy the whole flowering cycle. 

2. Water, water, water. Mums are thirsty ladies. They’ll wilt dramatically if neglected, but bounce back quickly with a good soak. 

3. Give them sun. At least 4–6 hours of sunlight keeps them happy. They’re porch queens, not cave dwellers. 

4. Deadhead the spent blooms. This keeps them looking neat and encourages more flowers.  

🌸 Styling Southern Porches with Mums 

Want that Southern Living front-porch look? Try these combos: 

• Classic Charm: Yellow mums + orange pumpkins + a plaid blanket draped over a rocking chair. 

• Elegant Autumn: White mums + heirloom green and white pumpkins + lanterns with candles. 

• Bold & Bright: Burgundy mums + ornamental kale + purple pansies in matching planters. 

• Harvest Abundance: Line your porch steps with alternating colors of mums — instant wow factor. This is the look I achieved on my front porch this past weekend. 

🌸 Let’s Talk About The Other Pretty Stuff 

•  Pansies & violas: Hardy, colorful, and smile through frost. 

•  Ornamental kale & cabbage: Looks like a veggie, acts like a flower. 

• Camellias – The queens of the Southern fall and winter garden. Glossy leaves and gorgeous blooms (October through March, depending on the variety). 

• Azaleas (Encore varieties) – Some rebloom in fall, giving you a second season of color. Mine NEVER rebloom in fall, but hopefully yours are more cooperative.  

🍅 What I Plant in My Own Fall Garden 

Here’s my personal lineup: 

• Snapdragons! Snapdragons! Snapdragons! Tall spikes of color that tolerate Southern chill. They pair beautifully with pansies in beds or containers. 

• Ornamental Peppers… They make a garden POP! Plus, you can eat them!  

• Cilantro, rosemary, sage, oregano, basil, thyme, and parsley for chili, gumbo, all the soon to come fall soups,  and roasted meats. 

• Pansies & Violas – The darlings of fall gardens. Hardy, cheerful, and available in every color combo. They laugh at frost and keep blooming into winter. Don’t let the name fool you: pansies will stare down a frost while you’re shivering in three blankets. 

• Petunias – In many Southern zones, you can plant them in fall for blooms through the cool months. 

• Dusty Miller – Silvery foliage that contrasts beautifully with fall flowers. 

🌾 Final Thoughts 

If you’ve never tried a fall garden, this is your sign. Whether you’ve got a big backyard or just a sunny balcony, fall gardening in the South is forgiving, rewarding, and fun. Plus, at least for me, there’s more to gardening than fresh veggies and pretty flowers — it’s medicine for the soul. Physically, it gets you moving, bending, stretching, and soaking up Vitamin D from the sun. Mentally, it’s therapy without the co-pay: stress melts away when your hands are in the dirt, and the simple rhythm of watering or weeding clears your head better than any meditation app. Spiritually, gardening reconnects me with creation itself — a reminder that God designed me from dust and gave me the gift of tending the earth. And yes, even though my middle child, Greyson, makes fun of me and calls me The Human Thunderbolt, I garden barefoot, grounding myself in the soil, because there’s something holy about feeling that direct connection under your toes. It’s not just a hobby — it’s healing. Vitamin D, dirt, and zero drama.    

Talk to me about what YOU ARE planting this fall! I’d love to hear about your fall gardens and see some pictures!  

Thank you for your time. It is extremely valuable, and I sincerely appreciate you sharing it with me. Be strong. Be brave. Be kind. Never be afraid to GREAUX.