When you rent, fall is more about a change in the weather. When you own your home, it feels different. The yard is yours, the porch is yours, and you get to decide what the season looks like.
In East Tennessee, fall is hard to beat. The mornings are crisp, the afternoons are still warm enough for a flannel, and the hills put on a show. If you’ve been wondering how to make the most of it, here are five things to try around your house this fall.
1. Host a fire pit night
Nothing says fall like a crackling fire and a bag of marshmallows. If you don’t have a fire pit yet, a basic steel ring or portable pit works fine and doesn’t cost much. Pull up some chairs, invite the neighbors, and make s’mores. It’s one of the easiest ways to get to know the people on your street.
A quick tip: check your county’s burn rules before you light up, and keep the pit a safe distance from the house, trees, and anything that could catch.
2. Plant bulbs now for a spring surprise
This one takes a little faith. Tulips, daffodils, and crocuses need to go in the ground in the fall so they can bloom in spring. Spend an afternoon planting a few dozen bulbs along the walkway or around the mailbox, then forget about them. Come March, you’ll get a burst of color and a reminder of the work you did months earlier.
Fall is also a great time to plant trees and shrubs, since the cooler weather gives roots a chance to settle in before summer heat.
3. Give your front porch a makeover
Your porch is the first thing people see, and fall decorating doesn’t have to be complicated. A couple of mums, a few pumpkins in different sizes, a new doormat, and maybe a cozy throw on a porch chair go a long way. Swing by a local pumpkin patch or farmers market and make a day of it.
Bonus: when you own the place, you can hang the wreath wherever you want. No landlord approval needed.
4. Turn the backyard into movie night
Grab a cheap projector, hang a white sheet or pull the car up to the garage door, and set out blankets and pillows. Pop some popcorn, pick a classic fall movie, and enjoy the cool night air. It’s a fun one for kids, date night, or a small group of friends.
5. Start a leaf pile tradition (and get the yard ready while you’re at it)
Yes, raking leaves is a chore. But if you’ve got kids, a dog, or just a playful streak, a giant leaf pile is pure fall fun. Rake it up, jump in, take the photos, then bag or mulch the leaves when you’re done. Shredded leaves make great mulch for flower beds.
While you’re outside, knock out a few easy prep tasks: clean the gutters, disconnect garden hoses, and check that outdoor faucets are ready for the first freeze. Future you will be grateful.
Make it yours
Part of the joy of owning a home is building traditions that are yours. Maybe it’s a fire pit night every Friday in October, or planting a new batch of bulbs every year. Whatever it is, fall is a great time to start.
And if you’re still renting and dreaming about a porch and yard of your own, we’d love to help you figure out what it takes to get there. Reach out to a First Choice Lending Services loan officer to start the conversation.
