I use to put everything out September 1st, now it is usually closer to October. It is still really hot here and I leave all the fall stuff out till Thanksgiving, so if it is too early, it starts to look ragged and I grow tired of it.
Syble

Traditionally scarecrows were used all summer in the fields to scare the crows away. I think that a scarecrow among the Sunflowers would be lovely because you know they may not last too much longer. I'm in zone 7b and my sunflowers are already gone. Put some sun glasses on that 'bad boy' and you could put a sign on the scarecrow that says "FALL AHEAD" or "BACK TO SCHOOL" or "BEAN PICKIN' TIME" or "SUNFLOWER'S 10 cents" or "LATE SUMMER PICKINS" etc. Jumpin the gun a bit gets other people excited about the approaching season, especially kids.

I usually put mine out in mid Sept. as well only because it's still pretty hot here and I have phlox, etc. still blooming...and I don't want to confuse the hummingbirds! ;-)

Well since we are to be mid 60's to low 70's in the next few days and have vistors next week, I will be doing my fall decor this weekend.

Kath
Denver, CO area

Hooray! after a summer of triple digit temps and no rain, it is raining today and has been since about 2:30. So far, drum roll please, brrrrrrrrrr, 3.6 INCHES! Can you believe it? Has the drought come to an end? I pray so. I really want a flower bed and would love to start it off with tulips and daffodils.
Ok, now after a little settling down. The sunflowers I have are not the normal ones. They are shorter and some are a gorgeous burgandy color. I don't know if they will make a a smaller seed or not. I think I will wait till the end of Sept, even though the sunflower thingys will probably be over blooming.

I started mine at least a couple of weeks ago. My mums were in a wealth of buds, but no blossoms yet. I cut the iris and glad stalks back, then it looked so barren. So hauled my little red wheelbarrow up to the garden. Then I added some orange lilies and colorful leaves to brighten it up. Of course these were the fake kind, but it looks much better.

Kathyjb ~ If I had those great sunflowers, I'd go ahead and decorate! They sound beautiful. For myself, it's pretty much "harvest time" from mid Aug on into fall, even though it's still hot. Lots of the summer stuff is playing out by then. Anytime in Sept should be fine in my opinion. Please show us pics of those pretty sunflowers & scarecrow, so we can enjoy them too! I don't have many fall flowers, need to do some fall decorating for the grandsons, might share some pics later. ~tenderlee

My sunflowers are pooping out. :-(
I still have one that is pretty vibrant. My mums have quite a few blooms, so I may move Mr. Scarecrow from the window fence to the front door.

I just put up my Fall garland today!!!! It is still Summer weather here though!

I just put my scarecrow on the front steps in an old wood chair I painted red. I put my garland around the door and I have a pumpkin gourd in his lap. I need more, but I have to think about it. Maybe some corn coming out of my mailbox? will post pictures a little later, maybe someone could help me with what else I need. Don't want to overdo.

Finally was able to shoot a picture of the front of my home.
{{gwi:188400}}

Very nice front entry ! Those 2 metal containers sitting beside the door would look wonderful with some mums and fall leaves cascading out of them. I would use fake ones until real mums come available. It's still hotter than bejesus here, so when it comes to decorating for fall and trying to fool my brain into thinking the weather's cooler, there is no such thing as too many decs for fall ..lol !
Susan

Looks great!! I decorated some but since I do the 2 front windows for Halloween each yr. I haven't done that yet, neighborhood kids think it is great & some come to my house twice on Halloween night!! I don't mind as some neighbors lockup & turn out the lights & I remember that was the best night of the yr. as we had so much fun & I usually got to go with cousin 3 yrs older than me. I shared my bounty with my whole family. It lasted a long time too! I think we need the American traditions ! Jan