Tis the season to harvest the Scarecrow!

Have you planted a scarecrow garden? This book, Scarecrow, making harvest figures and other yard folks, by Felder Rushing needs to be your first stop. I just ordered it and can’t wait to read the history of the scarecrow and how to build my own.( The arrows on each side of the book cover are from the Amazon snap shot that I took from that site. The real cover does not have the arrows.)

Felder has written several books. Tough Plants for Southern Gardens is one of my favorites. I’ve got one of those tough gardens. Another favorite is Passalong Plants about those plants we pass to one another over the backyard fences. He has an easy style to read and will empower you to conquer the fears of gardening. You can find all his books HERE. And you can find my colorful article about him HERE.

So today, Felder inspired me to buy his book about scarecrows. It’s the perfect day to think about harvesting a scarecrow. There is a nip in the air and pumpkins are dotting the local market places.

You need the cornstalks first of course! And why plant ordinary corn when you can plant something so interesting that it will become part of the landscape. Visit Botanical Interests Seeds and start planning your next scarecrow garden————

or……..

Now that you have the stalks going and beautiful corn to make wreaths and such like the body of the scarecrow –well, you need pumpkins and other Autumn ornamentals!

Gourds need to be dried and you can use candles inside to create Autumn atmosphere.

Then don’t forget to decorate the garden with seasonal annuals and perennials.

I grew the ‘Ornamental Millet’ this year and it is so attractive and different. The seed heads are turning a deep burgundy color.

All the oranges, reds, purples, and yellows are going to make you hungry. Plan a few harvest meals from Gooseberry Patch’s Taste of Autumn cookbook. I hope I’ve gotten you in the mood for making scarecrows and looking forward to what you can grow in next year’s scarecrow garden. Now go buy Felder’s book too and make a scarecrow part of your harvest holiday tradition.

Share with me some of your harvest holiday traditions. It’s my favorite time of the year.