Fall in Oklahoma is one of the best times of year to be outside any time of day, but especially in the evening. Summer heat and bugs are gone, the first frost is still a little ways off, and colorful foliage and fall flowers are on full display.
There are plenty of places to go to appreciate fall weather and color, but sometimes instead of a trip to the pumpkin patch, fall festival, or high school football game, it’s nice to enjoy fall right at home. Outdoor hardscaping is a great way to make a welcoming and functional space in your yard that’s as beautiful any time of year, and especially in the fall.
Whether you have acres to work with or limited space, there are plenty of options from stone pathways to fire pits to outdoor living and dining spaces. Keep reading to get some inspiration for fantastic fall landscaping ideas.
If you’ve ever struggled through a landscaping or gardening project in summer, you can appreciate how fall’s cooler temperatures make outdoor projects easier and more enjoyable. If a DIY project isn’t part of your plan, many contractors have more availability in their schedules at this time of year as mowing and other yard services are winding down for the season.
Another great perk of fall projects is that any new patios, paths, beds, or hardscape features will have some time to settle. New or recently-divided plants will still have time to develop strong root systems before winter, and weeds and spent annuals are easier to remove while preparing the ground for a new installation.
Landscaping projects come in all different sizes, colors, and materials, so you’re sure to find something that suits your aesthetic vision and your budget. We’ve included some ideas and images for inspiration here to help you picture projects of different scales and think about what might work in your own yard, too. Once you’ve picked a project, our downloadable shopping lists make it easy to get started.
From flagstone and stepping stones to pea gravel and crushed limestone, there are so many options for building paths and walkways. Do you prefer a uniform look with materials of similar size and color? Or is a variety of shapes and tones more your style? Are you going for a formal look or something more rustic and natural?
In general, curved lines (for the path and the stones themselves) will give a more organic look, as will irregularly shaped stones or mixed-color gravel. You can also add texture and visual interest by embedding larger stones in a base of crushed stone or small rocks, or use sand and pebbles to fill in gaps between stones. This helps to lock in the installation and stabilize the path.
Minick Materials has a wide selection of flagstone, crushed stone, decorative rock, and other materials to make unique and functional paths in any yard.
A fire pit is a fun and beautiful way to extend the outdoor season (not to mention s’mores season!). Whether installed alone or as part of a larger outdoor living space, fire pits come in different sizes and shapes to suit different needs. Minick is your one-stop source for outdoor fire pit stone and kits so you can design and build a custom fire pit that is just right for your yard.
When dealing with fire, safety is the top priority, so be sure to consider the location, seating layout, and any local ordinances so you can enjoy your fire pit worry-free for years to come. Drainage is also important for open-air fire pits, so an elevated or gravel base may be necessary for some installations.
To make a big impact, consider combining multiple hardscape features to create an outdoor living space. Patios, paths, seating, and decorative elements that define the space and foot traffic are all options. Some ideas include, but are certainly not limited to:
There are many options for stone depending on the style, color, and scale of your project. The experts at Minick Materials work with both homeowners and professionals, providing advice and a variety of materials for nearly any project. Choose from flagstone, crushed limestone or pebbles, blocks, boulders, decorative pottery, and more. Best of all, Minick offers bulk delivery, which simplifies logistics and makes it easier to get started.
Fall is the perfect time to create outdoor spaces you can enjoy now and year-round. Now is the perfect time to get started before winter arrives. Plan your outdoor retreat and bring fall landscaping ideas to life with inspiration and guidance from Minick Materials. Get a quote today for flagstone, gravel, mulch, and delivery.