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17 Front Porch Pumpkin Décor Ideas

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Celebrations start from decorating the front porch, as it’s the very first space that greets your friends and family. Pumpkins are the best choice to set the Halloween season, and your porch is the perfect canvas to show them off.

Whether you want a cozy farmhouse feel, a playful Halloween look, or a stylish modern setup, pumpkins can fit every decorating style. Their versatility makes them the star of the season, and with a little creativity, you can transform your entryway into a welcoming autumn retreat.

From stacked towers to glowing lanterns, pumpkins bring warmth and personality to any setup. Even the simplest arrangements can instantly make your porch festive and inviting.

17 Front Porch Pumpkin Décor Ideas

Pumpkins are the best choice for fall décor because they capture the season’s spirit with their vibrant colors and endless styling options.

They’re also affordable and widely available, making it easy to decorate beautifully on any budget.

1. Classic Pumpkin Steps

Arranging pumpkins on your porch steps is a timeless and easy décor choice. It creates a natural pathway of autumn charm that guides visitors straight to your front door. By mixing sizes, you add depth and balance to the arrangement.

You can keep the look simple with orange pumpkins, or mix in white, green, and striped varieties for more texture. This small variation makes your steps look thoughtfully styled rather than uniform.

To complete the setup, consider tucking in lanterns or small pots of mums between pumpkins. As evening falls, the glow of candles adds warmth and makes your porch inviting.

Also Read: 30 Fall Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas

2. Stacked Pumpkin Towers

Stacking pumpkins into towers creates vertical drama. They work well on either side of your entryway, instantly framing your front door in seasonal beauty. Wooden dowels or rods can help keep the pumpkins steady.

Choose a gradual size change—large at the bottom, medium in the middle, small on top—for a balanced look. You can also paint or carve patterns into the pumpkins before stacking for added flair.

If you want a polished feel, place the towers in urns or planters. This elevates the design and gives the display a more professional, styled look.

3. Painted Pumpkins

Painted pumpkins are perfect if you want creativity without the mess of carving. You can go with trendy colors like white, black, or metallics, or stick to fall shades such as mustard and burgundy.

Patterns and stencils allow you to create stripes, polka dots, or even your house number. Painted pumpkins also last longer than carved ones, making them practical for long-term porch displays.

Group painted pumpkins in clusters or pair them with neutral décor. Their smooth, bold look pops against natural wood or rustic baskets.

4. Lantern Pumpkins

Carved lantern pumpkins instantly bring a magical glow to your porch. Instead of classic faces, try carving starbursts, leaf designs, or geometric patterns for elegance.

Battery-operated candles are a safe alternative to real flames. They give off the same warm flicker and won’t be affected by windy evenings.

Place them on steps, tables, or even in hanging baskets. Their soft glow creates a cozy, welcoming feeling as guests arrive.

5. Farmhouse Crate Display

Using wooden crates as the base of your display adds rustic character. Stack crates vertically or place them sideways for pumpkins to “spill” out naturally.

The rough texture of weathered wood contrasts beautifully with the smooth surfaces of pumpkins. It also adds layers to your porch arrangement.

Enhance the setup with accents like hay bales, pinecones, or lanterns. This layered style feels collected and lived-in, perfect for farmhouse lovers.

Check this: 13 Front Yard Fall Flower Bed Ideas

6. Wreath of Mini Pumpkins

A pumpkin wreath turns your door into the centerpiece of your décor. Small pumpkins and gourds can be attached with wire or hot glue for a sturdy design.

You can keep it natural with orange tones, or mix in white pumpkins for a softer, modern look. Faux mini pumpkins are ideal if you want it to last all season.

Hanging this wreath instantly tells guests they’re walking into a festive space. It’s cheerful, seasonal, and a great way to start your porch design.

7. Pumpkin Topiaries

Pumpkin topiaries bring a neat, structured look to your porch. They’re usually stacked in decorative urns or pots, which makes them look intentional and polished.

Adding greenery or faux vines between layers makes the stack look fuller. Berries or small flowers tucked in can also add pops of color.

Place topiaries symmetrically on both sides of the door. They create balance and look especially striking if your porch is more formal.

8. Pumpkin Porch Rail Garland

Draping garlands along porch rails adds flow and continuity to your décor. Intertwine faux leaves, vines, and mini pumpkins for a harvest-inspired look.

The garland can stretch across your whole porch or be draped in sections for a subtler effect. Small pumpkins tucked along the greenery add charm.

Add string lights to make the garland glow at night. It softens hard lines and creates an inviting ambiance.

9. Pumpkin and Mum Pairing

Mums are the season’s favorite flower, and they pair perfectly with pumpkins. The bright blooms bring contrast and color to the neutral tones of gourds.

Arranging pots of mums next to pumpkins creates simple yet striking vignettes. You can mix several colors of mums for a lively, cheerful look.

To polish the design, coordinate your pumpkin and mum colors. Purple mums with white pumpkins or yellow mums with orange gourds look especially stunning.

Also Read: 17 Best Fall Flowers for Containers

10. Carved Jack-o’-Lanterns

Classic jack-o’-lanterns never lose their charm. They add playful energy to your porch, especially if you have children or expect trick-or-treaters.

Faces can be spooky, silly, or creative—there’s endless room to experiment. You can also carve shapes like bats, cats, or haunted houses for variety.

Lining carved pumpkins along your walkway makes your home festive at night. Their warm glow sets the stage for Halloween fun.

11. Pumpkin Planters

Turning pumpkins into planters is a clever, eco-friendly idea. Simply hollow out a large pumpkin, fill it with soil, and add flowers or greenery.

Mums, succulents, or ornamental kale look especially striking in pumpkin planters. The natural orange base highlights the plant’s color beautifully.

As the pumpkin decomposes, it nourishes the soil, making this both decorative and functional. Place these planters on steps or beside your door for extra charm.

12. Monogrammed Pumpkins

Adding your family’s initials or house number to a pumpkin makes your porch personal. You can paint, stencil, or carve the design depending on your style.

These pumpkins look best when placed prominently near your front door. They immediately make your décor stand out as customized.

Pair monogrammed pumpkins with plain ones for balance. The mix of simple and detailed designs keeps the display from feeling cluttered.

13. Pumpkin Basket Arrangement

Filling a basket with pumpkins and gourds creates a cozy, rustic vignette. Woven baskets add texture and warmth that feels very autumnal.

Mix in fall leaves, berries, or small pinecones for extra detail. The layered look makes the arrangement appear natural and inviting.

Place the basket casually beside your door or on a porch table. Its relaxed style makes it perfect for smaller porches.

14. Pumpkin Scarecrow Companion

Pairing pumpkins with a scarecrow brings whimsy to your porch. You can even use a pumpkin as the scarecrow’s head for a playful touch.

This setup works especially well on spacious porches, where you can build a little scene. Adding hay bales or cornstalks makes the display feel complete.

Children especially enjoy this style—it makes your décor interactive and memorable. It’s lighthearted, fun, and full of fall spirit.

Check this: 27 Fall Garden Ideas to Refresh Your Outdoor Space

15. Pumpkin Candle Holders

Small pumpkins make excellent holders for candles. Carve a space just large enough for a taper or tea light to sit snugly.

These holders add elegance and can be arranged on tables, railings, or steps. When lit, they create a soft, romantic glow.

To keep it safe, use battery candles instead of real flames. You’ll get the same look without worrying about fire hazards.

16. White Pumpkin Minimalism

Using all-white pumpkins creates a clean, modern aesthetic. Their neutral color blends seamlessly with both rustic and contemporary porch designs.

You can cluster them in groups or stack them for height. Paired with black lanterns or wooden stools, the look feels chic and intentional.

If you want a softer vibe, add eucalyptus or pale greenery to balance the starkness. White pumpkins are versatile and always elegant.

17. Pumpkin Hay Bale Scene

Hay bales make the perfect stage for pumpkins. Place them at varying heights and stack pumpkins on top for a tiered harvest display.

Add accents like corn stalks, lanterns, or scarecrows to make the scene fuller. The layered textures give your porch a rich, abundant look.

This setup is bold and festive, perfect for families who love big seasonal statements. It’s also a great spot for family photos.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, decorating your front porch with pumpkins is a simple way to add warmth, charm, and festive spirit to your entryway. You can go rustic with hay bales and natural gourds or keep it modern with painted pumpkins and lanterns.

Mixing in greenery, string lights, or colors that match your home’s exterior makes the space feel cozy and inviting. With just a few touches, your porch can become a fall centerpiece that celebrates the beauty of the season.

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Why Grip Strength is Vitally Important (and How to Improve It)

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Can opening a pickle jar predict how long you’re going to live? Maybe more than you realize! Our grip strength is actually linked to our overall health and is a good predictor of longevity. This simple, yet often overlooked health marker is a great way to tell us more about what’s going on in the body. And the good news is, that even if you don’t have great grip strength, there are easy ways to improve it.

I first mentioned this in passing and I was pleasantly surprised by how many follow-up questions you all had. Grip strength is a bigger deal than most of realize. How well we can grip things is one of the strongest predictors of longevity we currently know of. And unlike so many medical tests, it’s something you can easily check at home. No lab work, no invasive procedures, and no doctor’s visit required.

It’s not about weight, clothing size, or how you look, but strength and function. Plus it’s a good key to how well your nervous system and muscles are working together. I feel like this is one of the most overlooked and empowering health metrics we have. It turns out that training your grip doesn’t just benefit your hands, but your whole body. 

So here’s why grip strength matters, how to know what yours is, and practical ways to start improving it right now!

Why Grip Strength Matters So Much

On the surface, grip strength might sound like a minor detail. After all, how often do we need to twist open an especially stubborn jar lid? But researchers have found that grip strength is a surprisingly powerful proxy for overall health and longevity.

Studies link low grip strength with:

  • Higher risk of death from any cause
  • Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
  • Lower brain function as we age
  • Greater risk of falls and fractures

That’s a pretty dramatic list, but it makes sense if you think about it. Grip strength reflects not just the muscles in your hands but your entire neuromuscular system. To squeeze something tightly, your brain has to send a strong signal to your nerves. They then recruit muscle fibers all the way up your arms and into your shoulders and back. It’s a snapshot of your whole-body strength, nervous system health, and coordination.

Grip strength is like a window into overall vitality. Just like lean muscle mass strongly predicts longevity, grip strength tracks closely with how much usable strength we maintain as we age. 

My Own Grip Strength Experiments

When I first started testing my grip strength, I was curious but skeptical that it would tell me something about my health. 

Over time though I noticed an interesting correlation. My highest grip strength measurement was around 140 pounds, and my average is usually in the 120s. I also recently did a biological age test and came out at 21.7 years old, significantly younger than my chronological age. That was enough to get my attention.

I’ve also seen this anecdotally with athletes. Some of the fittest athletes I know, who had grip strength measurements close to 200 pounds, showed biological ages much younger than their actual years. While correlation doesn’t prove causation, the connection is strong enough that I believe it’s more than coincidence.

It also seems to track with day-to-day readiness. For example, I notice my grip strength is lower when I’ve had poor sleep or when my body hasn’t recovered well from a workout. This lines up with the data I see on my Oura ring. In that way my grip strength is a real-time signal of how resilient my nervous system and muscles are at any given moment.

How to Test Your Grip Strength

There are a few simple ways to test grip strength, ranging from techy gadgets to no-equipment options.

1. Dynamometer (Grip Strength Tester)

This is the gold standard and what researchers use in studies. A grip strength tester (also called a dynamometer) measures the maximum force you can exert when you squeeze. They’re relatively inexpensive and this is the one I have. 

A quick warning: the cheaper versions can break if you’re on the stronger side or use them often. Some models also max out at 200 pounds. That’s more than enough for most of us but can be a limit for high-level athletes.

2. Dead Hang Test

No equipment? No problem. Find a sturdy pull-up bar or tree branch and see how long you can hang. Hanging itself is actually a separate longevity predictor, and it also builds grip strength, so you’re getting two benefits in one.

If you’re just starting out, you may only last a few seconds which is still perfectly fine. The goal is to slowly increase your hang time over weeks and months. Being able to hang for 60–90 seconds (or even up to three minutes) is an excellent marker of strength and resilience. My daily average now is about 90 seconds, but I’ve had to work up to that. 

3. Farmer’s Carry

This one is as simple as it sounds. Grab something heavy in each hand, dumbbells, kettlebells, or even two buckets of water will work. Next, walk as far as you can while maintaining good posture. Ideally, the combined weight should be about 50–75% of your body weight.

This test is both a measurement and a workout. Over time, track whether you can carry more weight or walk farther with the same load. 

4. The Jar Test

It might sound simple, but struggling to open jars can be an early warning sign of declining grip strength. If you find yourself constantly asking for help with lids, it might be worth paying attention to your grip health.

Easy Ways to Improve Grip Strength (At Home)

Here’s the best part: you don’t need a gym membership or fancy tools to build grip strength. In fact, you can work it into your daily life in creative ways. One suprising way is to opt for less smartphone use. A 2023 study found that as smartphone use (like scrolling) increases, handgrip strength and functionality decrease.

Hanging (Dead Hangs)

One of the simplest, most effective exercises for grip (and shoulder and spine health) is just hanging. I have a pull-up bar in my house and use it throughout the day. Keep a pull-up bar on the bathroom or bedroom door and use it every time you go by. Start small, even 15 seconds at a time, and build up.

For variety, try active hangs (engaging your shoulders), side-to-side shifts, or knee raises while hanging. It keeps things fun and works your core too.

Farmer’s Carries

Like I mentioned above, this is one of the most functional movements we can do. Carry two heavy objects and walk. I often practice this without even thinking about it when I’m carrying in groceries or hauling things in the yard. When I go to the grocery store I try to park far from the entrance and carry my full, reusable grocery bags back to the car.

If you want to make it intentional, grab two heavy weights or buckets and walk 30–60 seconds. Keep your core engaged and shoulders relaxed. Repeat a few rounds, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you get stronger.

Daily Life Opportunities

Here are some more ways to build grip strength exercises into your everyday routines. 

  • Carry grocery bags instead of using a cart.
  • Hand-squeeze citrus instead of using a juicer.
  • Use a basket instead of a cart at the store (when practical).
  • Play on monkey bars with your kids.
  • Twist off lids and do more manual kitchen prep when you can.

Rice Bucket Training

This one sounds strange but is incredibly effective. Fill a bucket with rice, stick your hands in, and move them around, squeezing, spreading your fingers, and rotating. Unlike most grip exercises, this trains both the closing and opening muscles of your hands. For an extra challenge, hide some dried beans at the bottom of the bucket and try to get them out with your fingers!

Grip Tools

If you like gadgets, you can get grip trainers, squeeze balls, or even wider grips that attach to dumbbells to make them harder to hold. These aren’t necessary, but they can be fun to experiment with. Something like this works well.

Grip Strength Training in (or Out of) the Gym

If you already lift weights, you’re probably training your grip without realizing it. Any movement that requires holding onto a bar, dumbbell, or kettlebell challenges your grip. Some of the best:

  • Deadlifts
  • Pull-ups
  • Rows
  • Kettlebell swings
  • Push-ups (these are surprisingly helpful for grip and wrist stability)

If you usually use lifting straps, consider going without them at least sometimes. Let your grip be the limiting factor since it will strengthen faster that way.

And don’t underestimate bodyweight movements. Just pressing your palms into the ground during push-ups or holding a plank engages your hands and wrists in ways that carry over to grip strength. These small challenges, repeated consistently, add up to a much more resilient grip over time.

Nutrition and Recovery for Stronger Grip

Like any muscle-building effort, grip strength improves with the right balance of training and recovery. A few key things to keep in mind:

  • Protein: Adequate protein intake is crucial for muscle repair and growth. You can also pair this with amino acids. This brand is my favorite and tastes great. 
  • Creatine: This is one of the most well-studied supplements for strength and performance. Many people see noticeable improvements with it and it’s one I prioritize.
  • Collagen + Vitamin C: These support tendons and ligaments, which is just as important as muscles when it comes to grip. Truly, we’re only as strong as our tendons and ligaments. You can get collagen here.
  • Minerals: Don’t forget about minerals like magnesium and silica for joint and connective tissue health.
  • Sleep: Research shows poor sleep leads to a noticeable drop in grip strength. Sleep is where repair and growth really happen.

This highlights an important truth that grip strength isn’t just a muscle issue. It’s a whole-body, whole-lifestyle reflection. If you’re eating well, sleeping deeply, and giving your body recovery time, your grip will likely respond better to training.

The Nervous System Connection

One aspect of grip strength that doesn’t get enough attention is its link to the nervous system. A strong grip isn’t just about strong muscles. Our grip is about the brain’s ability to recruit those muscles efficiently.

This is why fatigue, poor sleep, or nervous system stress can all lower grip strength, even temporarily. It’s also why training grip can improve more than just your forearms. You’re essentially training your body to fire more efficiently, which carries over into everything from athletic performance to daily movement. Researchers found that stronger grip strength has a suprising connection to our mood. Those with better grip strength were 30-47% less likely to struggle with depression than those with the weakest grip strength.

For me, this has been a fascinating area of self-experimentation. On days when I meditate or take steps to calm my nervous system, my grip strength often improves. It’s a reminder that the mind-body connection is real, and the nervous system plays a bigger role in strength than we sometimes acknowledge.

Final Thoughts on Grip Strength

The more I learn about grip strength, the more I see it as a powerful marker of resilience. It’s not about how much weight you can lift in the gym or how many reps you can do, Instead, it’s about the kind of strength that shows up in everyday life. Being able to carry your groceries without strain, open jars on your own, or hold yourself up on a bar are all small signs of health independence. As we age, maintaining functional strength may be one of the best gifts we can give ourselves.

And like many of the important things in life, grip strength is something that doesn’t need fancy or expensive equipment. Just hanging, carrying, squeezing, and paying attention over time can lead to profound improvements. And along the way you’ll be building your nervous system, muscles, joints, and longevity. 

What are everyday ways you use your grip or strengthen it? Leave a comment and let us know!

How to Grow Ghost Plants (Mother of Pearl)

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Soil

Outdoor in-ground ghost plants require well-draining, sandy loam with a pH of 6.1 to 7.8.

If you’re using containers, make sure they have one or more drainage holes and use a cactus and succulent potting mix, or follow these instructions to make your own.

Loose, lean soil facilitates drainage and reduces the risk of rotting.

Water

Ghost plants store moisture in their leaves and have excellent drought tolerance. When established, those growing in the garden won’t need water unless there is a lengthy drought.

Allow the soil in containers to dry out completely before watering. You can use a moisture meter to guide you.

If you live in a community with municipal water, you may find that mineral salts build up on the soil and sides of containers.

Remedy the situation by watering with purified or distilled water. You can find more information about watering succulents here.

Fertilizer

It’s not necessary to fertilize ghost plants. If you choose to do so, wait until they are at least a year old to avoid burning the developing roots.

Use a liquid product formulated for cacti and succulents diluted to a quarter or half strength in early spring. It should be low in nitrogen to avoid producing fast growth that results in spindly stems.

If you need a recommendation, I use Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food.

Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food

This product has an NPK ratio of 0.5-1-1, making it very low in nitrogen and mild.

You can find Miracle-Grow Succulent Plant Food available via Amazon.

Our guide to fertilizing succulents has more information.

Cultivars to Select

When shopping, you’ll find various options available, though often they will just be listed as “ghost plant” or “mother of pearl.”

The straight species has the typical whitish-gray-green foliage and white flowers with red accents.

Ghost Plant

You can find the species in two-inch pots available from Sprout N Green via Amazon.

Bronze

G. paraguayense cv. bronze, sometimes listed as ‘Bronze’ has brightly hued foliage that shade orange and red with ample sun exposure, but green in low light conditions.

The star-shaped flowers are yellow.

Bronze

This cultivated variety contrasts sharply with green succulents for a bold mixed grouping.

You can find specimens in four-inch pots available from The Next Gardener via Amazon.

Purple Haze

‘Purple Haze’ is a hybrid of G. paraguayense and G. superbum, a pink-to-lavender species with yellow flowers. It has gray-to-lavender foliage and classic white flowers with red flecks.

Pair it with the species for a complementary pastel lavender and pearlescent gray-green display.

Variegated

The naturally occurring variegated form of the species, G. paraguayense f. variegatum, has white, purple/pink, and gray-green foliage.

The white flowers are speckled with red, crowning the eye-catching foliage.

Variegated

Outstanding as a standalone specimen, this option requires a full-sun placement for optimal leaf variegation.

Variegated ghosts are available from DH7 Enterprise via Amazon.

Maintenance 

Ghost plants require little maintenance when their basic cultural requirements are met.

As the lowest leaves age, they turn yellow. You can gently twist them off to keep the rosettes tidy and encourage new growth.

A close up horizontal image of a large Graptopetalum paraguayense aka ghost plant growing in a terra cotta pot.A close up horizontal image of a large Graptopetalum paraguayense aka ghost plant growing in a terra cotta pot.

Remove any foliage damaged by pathogens or pests to reduce susceptibility to further problems.

After flowering, trim flower stems to their base to tidy up.

Repot container-grown ghost plants when roots start to emerge from the drainage holes, moving them into a pot just one size larger.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

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A cutting board piled with shredded chicken breast.Make tender, juicy shredded chicken in the slow cooker with just a few ingredients. This premade chicken can be used all week for meal prep recipes, as well as quick tacos or adding to soups, chicken salads, casseroles, and skillet recipes.

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WON’T PINCH BARE LEGS. This at home workout equipment can be used over clothes or on bare skin without that horrible pinching you get with elastic bands. Enjoy comfortable workouts with these fitness bands whatever you are wearing
INCLUDES CARRY BAG. For easy transport we include a drawstring carry bag. These workout accessories for women and men can be taken anywhere. Butt bands booty belt exercise bands resistance.
NON-SLIP. The perfect blend of cotton and latex ensures our booty bands will not slip down your legs as you excersize. These resistance loops are designed for functionality as well as comfort. Great for strength training, yoga and pilates.
4 RESISTANCE LEVELS. These resistance bands are ideal for absolute beginners as well as experienced athletes. Start with the resistance band that suits your strength and work your way up to higher resistance as you get stronger, from light to heavy.
PRINTED TRAINING GUIDE INCLUDED. The perfect workout equipment for women and men of any strength: beginner to expert! We show you how to best train butt, legs, calves and core and provide a weekly routine to follow.
PLUS ONLINE TRAINING VIDEOS. Access our online glute band training video for further instructions and tips on how to best perform each exercise with your cloth resistance bands for women and men.
PERFECT BOOTY WORKOUT. These stretch glute bands enhance your workout to really target your butt, and thighs. Booty bands for working out. Squat bands for butt and thigh bands for workout.
LIFETIME MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY: If you are unhappy with your hip circle band for any reason, we will make it right. Our customer support team is here to help ensure you are happy with your resistant bands.
TRAIN ANYWHERE. Use our exercise bands at home, at the gym, in the park or anywhere you like to train. Glute bands for women and men. Resistance bands for legs. Fabric resistance band hip bands
GET MORE OUT YOUR WORKOUT. Adding workout bands resistance to your training allows you work those glutes, hamstrings, calves and abs much more than a normal workout meaning you burn more calories and strengthen your muscles faster.

Customers say

Customers find these resistance bands to be of great quality, with good slip resistance that stays in place without rolling down. Moreover, they are durable, with one customer noting they hold their shape well, and effective for various exercises, particularly for abductor strengthening. Additionally, the bands come in four levels of resistance, making them versatile for different workouts, and customers appreciate their comfort, noting they don’t pinch or irritate the skin. Customers also consider them worth the price.

With no guidelines yet from CDC, getting a COVID shot remains confusing : Shots

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It’s been hard for parents to get their kids COVID-19 shots recently, as well as for many healthy adults, since the CDC hasn’t weighed in with official guidelines for administering them.

Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images


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Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images

Remy Sweeney-Garrett desperately wants to get her daughters vaccinated against COVID-19. But so far that’s been impossible.

“I’m very worried, and frustrated,” says Sweeney-Garrett, 34, who lives in Seattle with her 9-year-old daughter Maxine and 18-month-old daughter Maeve. “And, yeah, I’m angry.”

Sweeney-Garrett hasn’t been able to get her daughters the shots because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to issue final guidelines for administering them. The rules are necessary for the federal Vaccines for Children Program to start shipping the vaccines to doctors, health departments and others. About half of U.S. kids are eligible for shots through the program.

“I’m worried about my youngest daughter in particular having to go to the hospital because she is susceptible to respiratory complications,” Sweeney-Garrett says. “And it’s frustrating because I feel like this is within the control of the people in our government.”

The lag by the CDC is very unusual. Typically, the CDC acts within days — sometimes hours — because of the urgency of getting shots into arms before the winter surge.

The delay has created “a lot of confusion both among the public and even among providers around what the status is,” says Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

Sweeney-Garrett is far from alone.

“We have parents asking every day for vaccines. They want the COVID vaccine,” says Dr. Elias Kass, who’s the Sweeney-Garrett family’s doctor. “And we don’t have it. And we don’t have an ETA. We don’t have anything. We don’t want kids to be sick. We have the opportunity to prevent that suffering. And we as a society are blowing it.”

The CDC’s delay has also forced adults seeking vaccination to continue navigating an often confusing and frustrating patchwork of state rules that have, in many places, made it difficult if not impossible for them to get vaccinated too. Even though many states have taken steps to make it easier for people to get the vaccines, some still require prescriptions and some pharmacists are still turning away people who can’t document they meet new eligibility requirements.

“It’s a mess. And it’s an easily avoidable mess,” says Dorit Reiss, who studies vaccine policies at the University of California, San Francisco. “They chose not to take action. I think it will harm public health and the result will be more COVID-19 and more harm from it.”

The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, did not immediately respond to NPR’s requests for comment or explanation.

This year’s rollout of the COVID vaccines has been unusually chaotic from the start. Until this year, anyone 6 months or older could get vaccinated by their pharmacist without a prescription. But for the first time this year, the Food and Drug Administration only approved the new shots for people at risk for serious complications because of their age or health, causing widespread confusion and frustration.

Then the CDC’s powerful Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. packed with like-minded anti-vaccine members, weighed in about the nuts and bolts of making them widely available.

After a tumultuous two-day meeting last month, Kennedy’s committee recommended adding a new hoop to getting vaccinated, but also took steps that could make more people eligible, let more pharmacists give the shots and start shipping the vaccines for kids.

But the CDC has yet to accept those recommendations — freezing everything in limbo.

“This is a critical piece of enabling downstream access,” says Kansagra of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. “It’s a huge problem.”

And now with the government shut down, no one knows when the CDC might finally act or what the agency might do.

Officials are especially worried because of the upcoming winter respiratory reason.

“We don’t know exactly how bad a season it could be, but it could certainly be very bad,” says Dr. Philip Huang, director of the Dallas Health and Human Services department in Texas. “It’s very frustrating. Our jobs are being made harder rather than easier.”

Best Long-Blooming Perennials for Sun in the Midwest

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Expert Picks for Long-Blooming Sun Perennials to Grow in the Midwest

If you’re looking for plants that provide blooms all season long—not just for a short time—these top picks for the Midwest are sure to brighten your garden. Find four long-blooming perennials for sun that thrive in sunny beds and borders from summer into fall.

See more regional picks: Heat-Tolerant Perennials for the Midwest

 

Photo by Jennifer Benner

‘Purity’ candytuft

Name: Iberis sempervirens ‘Purity’

Zones: 3–8
Size: 6 to 9 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Native range: Southwestern Europe

‘Purity’ candytuft is a front-of-border perennial ground cover that does a lot. Blooming for several weeks in spring, it also sports attractive, almost needlelike foliage for the rest of the year. The slightly domed pure white blossoms completely smother the plant, attracting butterflies aplenty. Be sure to deadhead and prune the foliage back into a mounded shape when the flowers finish their display; this is a must to keep it tidy. The foliage will stay evergreen even if snow-covered in winter. If ‘Purity’ gets tattered due to desiccation, any brown dehydrated tops won’t bloom, so consider a light winter cover of evergreen boughs in windswept sites. This candytuft was selected for its compactness, large flowers, and profuse bloom. It’s also rabbit and deer resistant.

 

 

Montrose Calamintha Nepeta habit
Photo by Nancy J. Ondra

‘Montrose White’ calamint

Name: Calamintha nepeta var. nepeta

Zones: 5–9
Size: 15 to 18 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; average, well-drained soil
Native range: Europe, Mediterranean region

This plant has a very upright, almost vase-shaped habit and gray-green foliage with a strong herbal scent. The star turn really occurs when ‘Montrose White’ steps forward with its top-to-bottom froth of delicate two-lipped white flowers that last from June until late October. I don’t want to oversell here, but mine was still in full-tilt flower when I cut it back in early November this year. And this calamint is never without bees, wasps, moths, and butterflies hovering over it. I purposely avoid giving my plants supplemental water during drought and they haven’t been phased. Cooler fall weather often causes the flowers to tint blue. This cultivar is sterile and doesn’t seed about promiscuously.

 

 

Thai Pink Jade garden phlox bloom closeup
Photo courtesy of Plants Nouveau

‘Thai Pink Jade’ garden phlox

Name: Phlox paniculata 

Zones: 5–9
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: North America

Ever really wanted to have garden phlox, but thought, No, I’m not crazy about powdery mildew. Then I urge you to get this beautiful, highly PM-resistant phlox with a long bloom season. From July to late September, you’ll enjoy beautifully domed medium-pink flowers with a deeper pink eye and a lovely, lilting fragrance. Deadhead the first flush of blooms once they’re finished, and lower lateral flowers will emerge to keep the performance going. The foliage is pointed and seemingly thicker and darker green than most garden phlox, creating an asset in its own right. ‘Thai Pink Jade’ is also a marvelous cut flower. The plant’s habit is strongly upright, making it easy for bumblebees and hummers to stop for a sip.

 

Veronica Spike Speedwell 'Bubblegum Candles'
Photo courtesy of millettephotomedia.com

‘Bubblegum Candles’ veronica

Name: Veronica spicata ‘Bubblegum Candles’

Zones: 4–8
Size: 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil
Native range: Hybrid

At this stage of my gardening life, I’m inexplicably just growing veronicas for the first time and loving ‘Bubblegum Candles’. It’s a tidy little number with a dwarf habit and (yes, you guessed correctly) candle-like spikes of deep rosy-pink flowers that go on all summer, especially if you’re conscientious about deadheading. Its foliage is a deep, glossy green and serrated. This long-blooming perennial prefers an organically enhanced soil and supplemental moisture during drought. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds will be frequent visitors to your new addition—deer and rabbits, not so much. It’s useful for low front-of-the-border edging and staggered odd-numbered groupings, or even tucked in mixed containers. This plant could legitimately be described as “sweet.”


Regional expert: Tony Fulmer, a lifelong horticulturist, is the retired chief horticulture officer for Chalet, a specialty nursery in Wilmette, Illinois.

Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp

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Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Shrimp DinnerMake this easy Honey Garlic Shrimp sheet pan dinner in just 30 minutes. Enjoy juicy shrimp and tender-crisp green beans tossed in a sweet-and-savory glaze.