Seasonal Care: Fall

As the seasons change, so too do your plant’s needs. Indoor plants are affected by outdoor changes. In this article, we’re talking about all things fall and how you should care for your plants when the temperatures cool down.

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1. Warm Days, Chilly Nights

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The temperature changes in fall can be dramatic from day to night. If we’re reaching for moisturizer and an extra layer, you can bet your plant needs a little extra care too. Modifying light, watering, and bringing plants indoors will make the transition in a transitional season as smooth as possible.

2.Bring Plants Indoors

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If you moved any of your plants outside for the spring or summer, it’s time to bring them back indoors. Best to do this before it dips below 55 degrees F at night. Check your plants for pests they might have picked up outside. We suggest giving your plants a shower with a garden hose if you have one, and once dry spraying leaves with diluted neem or hort oil before bringing them inside. If a plant didn’t exactly survive the season, it’s OK to let go. There are plenty of other plants looking for a home.

3. Keep Light Levels Up

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Pay close attention to the light your plants are getting. In fall, the days are shorter and the angle of the sun is changing. Some of your indoor plants might need to sit in a new place to get the same amount of sunlight they did spring and summer. You might want to group your succulents together on the windowsill rather than on your coffee table for example. Rotating your plants once a week helps to ensure all sides are covered and your plant won’t lean one way or another.

4. Water Less Often

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In colder months, plants should be watered less often than in warmer seasons because they are getting less light and growing more slowly. Generally, wait a few days in between watering in winter, unless your apartment is really dry — then your plants may need more water.

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A snake plant, for example might need watering every 6 weeks in the fall, compared to every 3 weeks in the summer. Check the soil and make sure it’s dry 2 inches below the surface before watering.

5. Increase the Humidity

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The air indoors is going to be much drier, so if you’re watering less, you want to invest in a humidifier and increase the humidity levels. Many common houseplants prefer a humid environment. Plus, humidifiers are great for the air we breathe and good for our skin too. Group like-plants together to increase humidity —  plants are really good at self care and like-plants are good at caring for each other. Avoid any extreme changes in temperature; don’t put your plants near or on top of the radiator, and places like next to a front door that opens frequently. Sudden hot and cold drafts can stress plants out.

6. Forgo Fertilizer

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Foliage growth slows down considerably during the fall and winter months, so you can withhold from using any fertilizer until next spring; the start of the growth season. Give your houseplants the essentials (light and water) to sustain them through winter, but don’t fuss over them or kill them with kindness.

7. Foliage Dieback

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When bringing houseplants from the great outdoors to your living room - or bedroom or bathroom or kitchen - they may begin to drop their leaves. This is perfectly normal, as they are adjusting to the lower light levels of being indoors. Pro Tip: Give your plants a hand by pulling off a few leaves to help them retain lush and bushy foliage, especially where you want them to be lush and bushy.

8. Last Call to Repot

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Repotting does not necessarily mean changing a plant’s planter, but rather, changing its soil or potting mix. Fresh soil means new nutrients. This is great news if you love your current planter, but if you’re looking to purchase a new one that’s fine. If you are changing planters, try to keep the size no more than 3″ larger in diameter for tabletop planters, and no more than 6″ larger in diameter for floor planters. Make sure your planter has drainage and put a tray underneath to catch any excess water. The size is important here, because typically when we move our plants to a larger pot with more soil, we will be inclined to water more often. A small plant + an oversized planter + lots of soil + overwatering = killing with kindness. 

If you see one or a combination of these signs, you'll know it's time to repot:

• Roots are growing through the drainage hole at the bottom of the planter 
• Roots are pushing the plant up, out of the planter 
• Plant is growing slower than normal (different than dormant) 
• Plant is extremely top heavy, and falls over easily 
• Plant dries out more quickly than usual, requiring more frequent waterings 
• Aboveground parts of plant take up more than three times the pot space 
• Noticeable salt and mineral build up on the plant or planter 

Plants typically need to be repotted every 12 to 18 months, but some slow growers can call the same pot home for years. Early spring, before the start of the growth season, is the best time to repot your houseplants. 

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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      This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.

8 Ways To Make Your Home Cozy For Fall

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As soon as the leaves start to turn, some of us find our self in a mad scramble to get our home in order. Winter temperatures are just around the corner and on cold, blustery days there is nothing more welcoming than a cozy space to come home to. The good thing is it only takes a few quick and easy changes to turn your home into a warm haven.


Here are 8 tips on ways to make your home cozy for fall:

1. Warm Up Your Bed

Now’s the time to trade your cool cotton sheets for fuzzy flannel or woven linen ones. As the nights get colder, surround yourself in comfort and create your own cozy cocoon. Bring out the winter duvet, add an extra blanket, and pile the bed high with pillows and you’ll be off to dreamland in no time. 

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2. Break Out the Fall Decor

Bring the outdoors inside for instant and budget-friendly decor. Acorns, pumpkins, foliage and pine cones are an easy way to decorate mantles and entryways. Just pile several items in a clear vase for a simple and colorful display. For a welcoming entry, dress your front door with a bright wreath made of twigs and berries and fill urns with rustic branches.

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3. Mood Lighting

Every room needs overhead lighting but think about adding multiple sources of light to really create a cozy and warm ambiance. Having a bedside lamp within arm’s reach means you won’t have to jump out of your toasty bed to turn off the light. Do you entertain throughout the season? Put your dining room lights on dimmers to instantly change the mood (and give your guests a flattering glow) at those holiday dinner parties.

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4. Create a Hot Beverage Station

Hot chocolate, foamy lattes, hot tea… ’tis the season for warm drinks! Make indulging extra easy by introducing a beverage station in an unused corner of the kitchen. Corral cups, spoons, and decadent toppings (hello, mini marshmallows) in a tray for quick organization. With all the ingredients at hand, you can ward off cold mornings and ease into the day with a soothing cup of coffee.

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5. Layer On Pillows And Throws

When it comes to pillows and throws, you can never have enough. Plaid or knit pillows provide a seasonal accent, without the heavy expense or commitment of changing out your decor entirely.

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6. Throw A Rug On It

There’s nothing that makes you feel the season’s chill more than stepping out of bed onto a cold, hard floor. Start the day off right by adding a rug underfoot. Already have broadloom in the bedroom? Indulge for the season by layering an area rug on top of the carpet for extra plushness and warmth.

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7. Bring On The Heat

Cool fall days were made for lounging by the fireplace. Immerse yourself in comfort by grabbing your favorite book, putting on your wool socks, and settling in for a night by the fire. Or enjoy the warm glow on a small scale by using candles. Candles in scents of apple or leaves can bring the indoors alive while a cluster of candlesticks can add elegance to your dinner table. Just make sure never to leave lit candles unattended.

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8. Share Your Home With Others

For a cozy feeling inside and out, invite friends and family into your home. The weather might be cold and gloomy but that just gives you the perfect reason to entertain indoors. Sharing laughter over a meal of hearty soups and warm pies is a fun way to warm your heart. And, you’ll build fall memories that will last all season long.

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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      This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.

10 Classy Fall Crafts

Fall craft ideas are a dime a dozen on Pinterest, but an awful lot of them are projects for kids. And, well, they look like projects that kids did. In case you’d like something a little classier in your home this season, here are some ideas more grown-up than turkey pinecones!

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1.  Leaf-Covered Candle Holder

Mod-podge the leaves onto the jars, let ’em dry, and you’ve got a beautiful fall-themed centerpiece for your table. The leaves go on the outside of the jar, so there are no worries about them catching fire. But if you’re still nervous, you can always use a battery-powered votive. 

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2. Fingerprint Tree

Here’s something easy enough for kids, but beautiful enough to hang on your wall! Use your fingers (or your kids’ fingers!) and acrylic paint to add fall leaves to a bare tree. You can draw your own tree, or if you’re not artistic.

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3. Sparkly Leaf Garland

This sparkly leaf garland is a classy way to decorate your home for the fall season. It’s fun, it’s seasonal, but the sparkles give it just a bit of a grown-up feel.

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• Next use a paintbrush to apply Elmer’s glue to each leaf and then sprinkle glitter over the leaf. Let the glue set and then shake off the excess glitter. You’ll need a bag of artificial leaves, which you can buy from the Dollar Tree, but any craft store should carry them. 
• Next punch a hole at the top of each leaf and attach a ribbon that you can tie to a large ribbon strand. These leaves are so shimmery and will add a little sparkle to your home for the upcoming months. It would also be a great project to do with kiddos,  little glitter ending up on their faces is always a good thing 

4. Book Pumpkin

Find an old book no one will ever want to read again (check your thrift store if you can’t give up any of your own books), and turn it into this lovely book pumpkin. Instruction click HERE 

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5. Painted Acorns

If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with acorns, gather some up and make a bowl of these beautiful painted acorns.

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• Place acorns on foil-lined cookie sheet and bake at 170* for a few hours. I baked mine for about two hours just to be sure everything was good and dead. One acorn cracked and was a bit burnt looking but the rest came out looking good.
• Use acrylic craft paints and a paint brush to paint your acorns. Brush strokes will make a difference in the acorns’ appearance so brush with the grain of the nut. You can remove caps in order to paint them. If few caps had fallen off use hot glue to reattach them. Used different shades of green, blue, orange, and gold on your acorns. 

6. Wax-Dipped Leaves

Faux leaves not your thing? Dip the real variety into wax, let them dry, and hang them up for a beautiful, natural decoration. Wax-dipped leaves make excellent window decorations.

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• Slowly melt bleached beeswax over a double boiler; never allow wax to boil. Dip leaves in wax one at a time, holding by stem. gently shake off excess wax.
• Hang leaves on clothespins to dry. Some may be dipped again, depending on desired look; let dry between coatings. Hang finished leaves from lengths of monofilament.

7. Decoupage Pumpkin 

How beautiful are these decoupage pumpkins??
Instruction click HERE 

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8. Wreath with Felt Flowers 

Believe it or not, this autumn wreath with felt flowers can be made for less than $10!  Instruction click HERE

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9. Pine Cone Garland

Pinecones are a great transitional decoration. Their brown color is perfect for autumn, but they can also work for the December holiday season. This pine cone garland can stay up through winter!

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10. Cinnamon Stick Candles 

Buy some inexpensive bulk cinnamon sticks to keep this project affordable. And to get more mileage out of your cinnamon stick candle once fall is over, just switch out the acorns for holly sprigs or other December-y decor.

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Instruction click HERE

Hopefully you’re feeling inspired to bring some classy autumn beauty into your home with these fall crafts. Give one or two of them a try this season!

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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      This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.