To have picture perfect window boxes or planters for the fall, it is probably time to switch out the summer annuals. With a minimal amount of planning and labor you will be able to have clean planters and additional plants for next year's flower bed.

By fall the planters and window boxes are showing the wear and tear of summer's end. The once proliferous blooms of the annuals are now leggy branches with more seed heads than blossoms. It's time for a change. Let's look at some options.

Fall brings its own unique garden offerings and color choices. Popular plant choices from the local nursery include:

• chrysanthemums - Blossom colors range the whole warm side of the spectrum from white through dark purple. Size and shape of flowers will also be offered in a vast array from dainty daisy with yellow centers to spidery to large pompom.
• asters - Colors appear in white, pink, light purple, and dark purple.
• coleus - Prized for their leaf colors, coleus will give flowers a run for their money.
• 'Autumn Joy' sedum - Fleshy leaves and late blooming, the light pink flower head gets darker to purple by Thanksgiving.
• ornamental kale - Has ruffled leaves with stems ranging from pale yellow through reds and purples. Kale can take severe frost.
• ornamental cabbage - Has rosette growing habit with array of fall colors. It will eventually grow tall and flop over in winter.
• Swiss chard - Edible spinach flavor. The ribs of this dark green leafy plant come in bright yellows, oranges, reds, and purples.
• pansies - Will make another appearance. They can withstand heavy frost and snow. As soon as temperature rises a bit, they bloom right through winter to spring.
• marigolds - Many nurseries pot these up from flats that weren't sold during the summer. By fall they are small bushes full of yellow and orange blossoms.
• dusty miller - Silver or frosty looking foliage hints to winter.

Remove plants and soil from your window boxes and planters. Wash thoroughly with a one part bleach to ten parts soapy water solution. Let dry. Small plants in 4" to 6" pots will nestle nicely in your clean window box, in their pots. Make sure the ones you select are not root bound before purchasing so they have room to grow. Use peat moss, mulch, small stones, or sand for height and to fill in around plants. Doing so will retain moisture, day heat, and protect against early frost.

Find a pot that will fit inside a planter. Plant with your selection of fall goodies. Mix and match or use all the same plant. Again use rocks for height if needed. Fill in space around planted pot with mulch, sand, small stones, even newspaper.

Branches of fall colored leaves can be stuck in filler around pots for variety. Change out as colors fade. Berry branches such as American bittersweet and winter berry will last a long time and provide food for the wild birds that visit.

Just after Thanksgiving, Perennial plants like mums and asters can be removed and planted directly into the flower garden. Hardy mums and asters, sedum and dusty miller usually make it. Not all mums are hearty so you may loose a few. That inner planter pot can be buried right into the ground. Next year you can split it up or transplant into a bigger pot. Remember to water transplants weekly for a couple of months. Roots still grow in the warmer soil.

Coordinate your new fall window boxes and planters with a rustic wreath on the door or fence. Wind some bittersweet around your mailbox post.