Natural Fall Decor: Growing Pumpkins & Fall Blooming Flowers

May 06, 2025

Fall is hands down my favorite time of year. It’s the harvest season after the hard winter, the rush of spring, and the hot summer have all passed. To me, it’s the perfect time of year because it isn’t too hot or too cold, and the nights are not too short yet either. Best of all, it means that Christmas isn’t far off — which I love even more than fall!

With plenty of beautiful things growing around us during the season, I find it is the easiest time to decorate too. Homegrown pumpkins and blooming flowers are some of my favorite fall decorations! But growing your own fall decorations requires planning ahead and starting many of those seeds in the spring.

Today we will be talking about growing pumpkins and fall blooming flowers. I will share everything about how to harvest and use them as natural decorations. Using flowers and pumpkins for decorating is a simple way to add seasonality to your homemaking and to celebrate the abundance God has provided. You will love the coziness and beauty they add to your home too!

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Natural Fall Decoration Ideas

Natural decorations will surely bring the feeling of fall to your home. If you’re growing pumpkins or fall flowers, there are tons of ways you can use them. Try putting them in different places around the house, like on the table, around your tea or coffee bar, the fireplace mantle, front porch or in the kitchen!

Here on the farm, we use little pumpkins and pinecones to make a centerpiece. We also love placing fall flowers on our mantle to add some color. Be sure to check out our Cozy Fall Decor video to see just how we do it and to find more inspiration for how to use natural decorations to brighten up your space!

In addition to decorative pumpkins and blooms, corn stalks and hay bales make great fall decorations too. We can’t forget about dried wheat heads either! These crops are all well-loved symbols of the harvest season. They are great for decorating with as they last a long time and are easy to maintain too.

Tips & Tricks for Growing Pumpkins

Planting Decorative Pumpkins

Did you know that some pumpkins are great for decorating but not for eating? Ones that have a stringier texture on the inside or tougher skin on the outside are harder to work with, but their tough exterior makes them last a good amount of time. They can sometimes stay firm for months before they start to rot and go bad! These need to be planted in late spring - not usually when we are thinking of fall decor.

There are many types of decorative pumpkins, and they come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes. Some of our personal favorites to grow include mini pumpkins, gourds, Cinderella pumpkins, Jarrahdale Pumpkins, and Galeux d'Eysines Pumpkin Seed. Plant pumpkins, including mini pumpkins, and gourds, after the last frost in late spring by direct sowing in growing zones 3-9 according to seed packet instructions.

Here are some important things to keep in mind when growing pumpkins:

Choose a spot that will get lots of direct sunlight.
Plant your seeds in mounds of well-drained soil. We recommend planting seeds 1 inch deep, with 3 to 5 seeds per mound.
Pumpkins need plenty of space to grow. Most need to be spread out at least 4 to 8 feet from each other, but this number can increase depending on the variety.
Deep watering will definitely help them grow, but keep the soil moist, not soggy to prevent rotting.
Most pumpkins take 3 to 4 months to grow to their full size.

Harvesting Pumpkins for Decorating

You’ll know that your pumpkins are ready to harvest once the skin becomes firm and the stem has turned brown. Grab a pair of sharp shears and cut the stem, leaving about 2 to 4 inches of stem attached to the pumpkin. This will help it last longer.

Before we get to decorating, there is one more important step to take. After harvesting, cure your pumpkins by letting them sit in a warm, dry location for 1 to 2 weeks. The curing process will allow for the skin to harden even more so that the pumpkins last even longer!

Planting & Growing Fall Blooming Flowers

When it comes to fall blooms, it is hard to pick just one favorite… there really is no flower I would turn down! We managed to narrow down this list to feature a handful of our favorites. They come in different colors and are perfect for use in Fall flower bouquets or other decorative displays. Fall blooms are also planted in the late spring!

Our Favorite Fall Flowers

Roses:

Y’all know how much I love them, as they are my second favorite flower! Roses bloom year-round in a variety of colors. Red, orange, and yellow roses have a classic beauty and will fit perfectly with a Fall color palette.

Calendula:

Calendula flowers are known for their bright orange and yellow colors, which will add warmth to any fall display. These are my absolute favorite flowers for so many reasons! For one they started me on my herbal journey over a decade ago.

Sunflowers:

Golden sunflowers bring joy wherever they go. As they bloom through the summer and into the fall, their petals remain a vibrant yellow during the change of the seasons. They are the quintessential fall flower!

Dahlias:

Dahlias grow in many different colors, but the deep shades like burgundy and purple add a beautiful splash of color to contrast traditional fall colors. They’re another one of my personal favorites as well as the Farmer's!

Zinnias:

These flowers are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors such as deep reds and purples. Their bold color makes them a great flower to pair with your decorative pumpkins. They are also super sturdy and work well in bouquets.

How to Plant Fall Blooms

Let's chat about how and when to plant your fall flowers. With proper care and the right conditions, you can grow beautiful Fall blooming flowers right in your own garden. Let’s dive into some of the most important tips for growing fall blooms, including soil, sun, and watering needs.

Roses:

Roses do best in well-drained soil and in a spot where they will get full sun. We recommend growing roses from a cutting if you are just getting started. These do best in growing zones 3-11 and you will want to plant them in the early spring (after frost) or fall.

Calendula:

Plant your calendula in well-drained soil with full sun or partial shade. Calendula flowers do well in cooler weather and can even tolerate a little bit of frost. This makes them a great choice as you head into fall weather. Calendula grows best in zones 2-11 and plant them in the early spring or late summer for direct sowing.

Sunflowers:

Loose, well-drained soil and full sun are best for sunflowers. They need deep watering once a week. That said, in general, sunflowers are pretty easy to grow because they do not need much maintenance. Best grown in zones 4-9 and plant after last frost in late spring.

Dahlias:

When planting dahlias, place them in well-drained soil and in full sun. If your dahlias are growing tall or producing heavy blooms, it will help to stake them so that they have the right amount of support to keep growing! Best grown in zones 7-10 and plant after last frost in the late spring. These are planted via tubers.

Zinnias:

In addition to full sun, zinnias need well-drained soil to thrive. They also need deep watering once a week, but it is important to let the soil dry in between waterings to prevent root rot and mildew. Grows create in zones 3-10 and plant after the last frost in the late spring through direct sowing.

When to Harvest

Ready to harvest? As always, use a pair of sharp shears to cut your flowers, and handle the flowers gently to avoid breaking stems or bruising your blooms!

Roses:

The best time to harvest roses is when they are partially opened. We recommend cutting at a 45-degree angle as this will lead to the best regrowth.

Calendula:

Harvest your calendula flowers when they are fully opened, but make sure that they are dry from any dew before you begin. This is when they will be the freshest and most beautiful!

Sunflowers:

When the center of the flower is firm but the bright yellow petals have begun to open up, this is the best time to harvest your sunflowers. Make sure that you get to work before the blooms have fully opened as this will prevent them from wilting too fast.

Dahlias:

Once the flowers have opened up and are nice and firm, your dahlias are ready to harvest. One thing to note is that dahlias have a short life once cut, but placing them in cool water immediately after cutting and changing the water daily will help to extend their life.

Zinnias:

Zinnias are ready to harvest when the flowers are fully opened and the stems are stiff, not floppy. To encourage more blooms, it is best to cut just above the leaves.

Growing Pumpkins Frequently Asked Questions

When should you plant pumpkins for a fall harvest?

Since most pumpkins take a full 3 to 4 months to grow, it is best to plant pumpkins in late spring or early summer if you want to harvest them in the fall.

Can pumpkins grow indoors?

Yes, pumpkins can be grown inside or outside. If you choose to grow them indoors, make sure you select a spot where your plants will get plenty of direct sunlight and have enough space to grow.

What do I do if my pumpkins are not growing well?

If your pumpkins are not growing, you may want to try focusing on enriching your soil with compost & use companion planting (like green beans). Be sure to address any possible issues with space, soil, watering, and sun exposure too.

Beautify Your Home with God's Natural Beauty

Growing pumpkins and fall flowers is an easy, fun, and affordable way to get beautiful natural decorations for your home. Hey, maybe you can even make a little extra money on the side selling any extras you might have. This is certainly a wonderful way to celebrate the harvest season, by using God’s creations! Following the seasons in my garden, in my homemaking and within the Catholic Faith is one of my favorite things!

If you are looking to spruce up your home garden before you plant your next fall blooms, check out our FREE Raised Garden Bed Plans Ebook for the best DIY box plans!

Learn More about Growing & Making Your Own Decorations

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