A few years ago, I came across the most beautiful (pink & green) fall porch I had ever seen. It was a complete jaw dropper ๐ฒ, and eventually I noticed the same decorating trends spreading all over the place. Folks caught on quick, but I took my time sticking with what I’m use to which was a more traditional colored approach. Well, not this year. I went for the pink Mum, and green ornamental cabbage gusto. Along the way, I learned a few things that I think will help you if you decide to “Combine Mums and Cabbage for Cascading Fall Steps”.
Here’s what our front porch steps looked like right before I was about to dress them with all the beautiful Mums and ornamental cabbage I found around town (more about where I found the best prices later)…
Cascading Fall Steps Before

Blah! As you can see, it was really boring and definitely missing a wow factor. Look at how lonely and sad those wood steps are ๐. My husband worked so hard on the “DIY Mahogany Steps” a few years ago (covering up our crumbling brick), so they really deserved better than this. Well, they definitely got what they deserved. What do you think of our “Vibrant Cascading Fall Steps” now…
Vibrant Cascading Fall Steps Reveal


POW! Isn’t it all just so inviting? I can just imagine what the neighbors might be thinking ๐… maybe that I have too much time on my hands because I was out there for 4 days getting this just right. Sometimes I feel like yelling over to them, “I’m working!” ๐
Here’s another side shot of the porch steps so you get the full drama effect just like the UPS dude gets…

When all the “children” (aka Mums and cabbage) settled into their seats, I just couldnโt get over how cozy and welcoming it made our front porch look for fall. All the different shades of pinks, and greens really turned it into a vibrant waterfall of fresh fall florals. This is where my decorating tips come into play…
So, what parts stand out for you the most? Did you spot any little sneaky ideas in there? I can be quite sneaky you know.
Read more below for all of my very simple & frugal cascading front porch step tips.

Where to Purchase Mums and Cabbage for Cascading Fall Steps
I wish I could tell you one simple stop to find every single element in the cascading steps, but that really isn’t possible because everyone’s local markets are different. However, I can tell you that Home Depot was more expensive than our local farmer markets here in Michigan (the selection was better at the smaller markets, too). My advice is to shop around for the colors you are most attracted to. Local seasonal markets are usually the best place to find more unique items such as the ornamental cabbage, but bigger retailers may have sales.
Another interesting tip I learned while moving pots around, is that it all doesn’t have to match exactly side to side. In fact, it looks less “commercial” if it doesn’t match up on both sides. In other words, I used the same color scheme (pink & green), but everything isn’t lined up exactly the same on each side. You’ll notice that I made the left side more full, and added in thrifty finds like lanterns, baskets, and of course pumpkins. As you can see…I went with little white pumpkins, and a few gourds ๐.

Cover Cabbage and Mum Planters with Baskets or Burlap for Cascading Fall Steps
If you are a subscriber you may recall that last week I shared how to help make the planters look more cohesive without paying a ton of money on matching pots. I used baskets from the local thrift store (I was shocked how many there were) and I also wrapped a few of the planters in burlap I happen to have on hand. If you want to learn more about covering those ugly plastic things, here’s my quick & easy tutorial: Wrap Mum Planter 3 Different Ways.

One last little tip is to look around your house. I was very surprised to find baskets in places I completely forgot about like my Easter basket stash, and I even found a few on top of our bedroom armoire. Sometimes we get so use to things in our home, we forget what is there.
Oh, before I forget, be sure to check out your garage, too. I found this thrift store picnic basket there.

I hope you enjoyed my first (and probably last ๐) “Vibrant Cascading Fall Steps”…
Happy FALL!
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Dollar Store Mum Wreath

Fairy Light Garden Lantern

Stuffed Cabbage Recipe


Beautiful! Love it!. So colorful. Love the burlap and wicker baskets.
Thank you, Connie!!
Queen Julie,
Let me tell you a secret. I have Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and breast cancer. Both at the same time. ๐
Your postings, always so bright and cheerful and damned informative, ALWAYS make me smile. Makes me happy.
Just sayin’
Mila…you sound like a fighter to me! I am going to pray for you. Please let me know how you are doing!
This is one time that I feel your display is overdone and must have been expensive to create, since that many plants could not have been cheap! Also what do you do with all the decorations – like the lantern and picnic basket – when it rains? Personally, I prefer traditional oranges, rusts, browns, with a scarecrow.
Worth. Every. Single. Penny. Lighten up, Cheri! Of course you should do your favorite colorsโฆnever said you shouldnโt. The mums are perennials so they will last forever in our yard and I also discussed where to find them at great prices. The baskets & lanterns luckily donโt melt. I had a ton of fun, go rain on someone elses porch โ๏ธ
Love your reply to Cheri…You only spend what you have and if you have enough to spend to make your porch look that gorgeous I say more power to you. You made your money not her!!
LOVE your Fall steps. My all time favorite color combo, pink and green! The perfect match in nature. Although not the โtraditional Fallโ colors they make a lively Pop of color beside the gorgeous cabbage, gourds, pumpkins, lanterns and baskets. Truly a different, but beautiful Fall
look. People will follow your idea Im sure.
Thank you, Carol! I will probably never go back to yellow mums, but who knows. Have a safe and beautiful fall my sweet friend.
Thank you, Carol! A beautiful matchโฆ perfectly stated! Happy Fall!
I never use those colors but looks beautiful!!๐
I couldnโt get over all the pinks, thank you Chris!
Gorgeous! Awesome job! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Rebecca!
Hi Julie:
That colour scheme is so lovely. Your sneaky little items add to it. You are so innovative. I’ve already wrapped my Mums in burlap, it just finishes them off.
I haven’t been around for awhile as my husband has been very ill and it has taken a lot out of me. He is doing much better now and should be okay in about 3 months.
Missed some of your good ideas but will catch up now.
Cheers, Bette
Betteโฆ I am going to say some prayers for your husband. Please let me know how he is and how you are!
Bountiful and Beautiful! I love the colors. You are quite the creative artist!
I love that word bountifulโฆ thank you for that โฅ๏ธ
This is a SHOW-STOPPER!!! The creativity is amazing and the colors really are so BEAUTIFUL!!!
I know how much thought and effort goes into your blog and you keep on keeping on Julie!!! ๐ ๐๐ ๐
Thank you so much, Diane!
I love your use of unexpected colors. If my shutters would not spoil it I would copy it! Your information and photos make this easily doable even if it takes some time. You know one could even use artificial cabbage purchased on sale. Great job Julie!
Thank you, Nancyโฆ I think our neighbors have artificial cabbage in their window boxes! I need to go sneak over there ๐
Love the pink and have always loved the dark burgundy. I never thought of using burlap to cover the pots! Beautiful front porch. Not too much at all! I love the mix of cabbages and pumpkins. Great job. Better than drab orange over and over!
Thank you, Sara! Lol
I love your porch with the pinks and greens, the burlap, baskets, white pumpkins, gourds and lantern, looks beautiful. I have pale yellow large mums on our porch, I am going to try to follow some of your ideas, our house is on the beach so I am not sure how things will hold up with the winds and salt air. Your porch has inspired me, I am going to give it a try.
Thank you!!
How amazing to be on the beach!!!
Julie, your porch is beautiful. Love how you added baskets & lanterns.. canโt wait to see how Christmas looks.
Thank you, A. Frannie!
Ooooh. This is epic!! Iโm adding it to my weekly roundup!!
That made my day, Jennifer! Thank you!!
Your porch decorations and colours are breathtaking, so beautiful. Love the pinks and greens. Thanks for sharing โค๏ธ
Thank you, Edna!
It looks great! Very welcoming!! I too am using pink and green if I can find them, my impatients are still beautiful and flowing over and bright pink! so I’ll try to get pink and pinkish mums. Thanks for sharing it really looks awesome
That would be beautiful, Debbie! Pink is now my fav for Fall! Especially deep burgundyโฆ
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Julie!
This is lovely! I just bought two ornamental kale from the local farmers market and an assortment of pumpkins, white, green and pink!! I’m going to raid my storage closet in the morning for baskets and lanterns before I head out for mums!
Thank you for the inspiration. No one’s raining on MY porch!!
LOL! I’m so excited for you, Tracie! I’m just doing pics now for our window baskets, so stop over again. I would love if you shared your photos with me ๐
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