If you want to decorate your house and garden for Halloween, carved pumpkins are a must.  These days, talented carvers are taking pumpkins to the next level.  The masterpieces shown here are an example of what you can do with a little imagination and a carving knife.  

Check out a gallery of outstanding carved pumpkins from PumpkinGutter in this YouTube video:

These aren’t your grandmother’s Jack-O-Lanterns!

A secluded garden retreat can be a great place to get away from it all and enjoy your own little corner of nature.  Even if you yard is small or serves a variety of purposes (suah as a vegetable garden, kids play area, pool, etc.), you can still carve out a portion that’s dedicated to relaxation.

Your retreat doesn’t need to be large – a space as small as 8 feet square can become a cozy garden getaway.  Choose a shady spot or add your own shade with a gazebo or canopy. Use plantings (think hedges and tall perennials) to shield your getaway from the rest of the yard.  If your property offers a scenic view, position your getaway to take advantage of it. 

Once you’ve prepared your getaway space, it’s time to think about the details.  Comfortable seating is a must and a table will allow you to dine outside.  Then add garden accessories like a small fountain, candles, wind chimes and small potted plants.

Get more ideas for your garden getaway at Better Homes and Gardens.