Use Fall Leaves for More Than Just Decorating

Fall leaves can be used for many different things around the house and in the yard. If creative enough you can turn the leaves into craft and decor items, or use the leaves to make and paint crafts and homemade goodies. Plus, leaves can offer your yard the nutrients it needs to grow thick and full.

Décor

Fall leaves offer vibrant colors as the seasons change from summer to fall. Leaves can be used to enhance fall décor both in the home and on the patio. Grab a bunch of leaves from a tree and use in a bowl before placing acorns, mini pumpkins and gourds in it. You can also make a garland strand of leaves to be hung on your back patio or near the front door of your home.

Leaf Printed Crafts

Turn a plain T-shirt or canvas bag into a fall leaf masterpiece by using fall leaves as a stamp. Paint the side of a leaf with preferred fall color, such as gold, red, dark green or brown, and firmly press on the shirt or bag. You can also use to make a border or other design on a solid colored tablecloth. To complement the table cloth, continue making dinnerware items, such as stamping cloth napkins, placemats and the outside of bowls and serving pitchers. This can be done on other fabric items, such as pillow cases and sheets.

Pumpkin Patch

Set the base up where you can display a pumpkin patch complete with a leafy bed. Gather as many fall leaves, in all shapes an sizes, as you can and lie down on a flat surface. Select a surface where you are going to be setting up your pumpkin patch display. Place pumpkins of all sizes on top of the leaves and add some gourds, corn and other fall decoration items to add some color to your display.

Mulch

Instead of using fall leaves to decoration your home for the fall season, turn it into mulch you can use in your garden and yard. The leaves can provide nutrients for plants and help your landscaped areas grow and flourish. Rake up your fallen leaves and run through a shredder or run the mower over them. Place the shredded leaves over the ground at the base of trees and in your garden.

FAMU: Horticulture; http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/landscape/dontbag/dontbag.html