Summer goes by so quickly! As days get shorter and temperatures
become cooler, it's unmistakable... fall has arrived.
Although we need to prepare for the coming winter, it's hard to spend
those precious autumn days doing chores such as raking up leaves, fixing
fence posts, planting bulbs, turning over the vegetable garden, trimming
trees and shrubs and disposing of yard waste. Here are
some tips to get those tasks finished quickly so you can enjoy your
weekends.
Garden – You’ve probably had enough tomatoes,
peppers and zucchini by now. When vegetable plants stop producing, it’s
time to begin garden cleanup.
Pull up dying plants and give soil a head start for next year by
tilling it and adding nutrient rich compost. You can even rake your fallen
leaves into the garden before tilling for added humus.
Flower gardens should also be cleaned up. Cut back perennials that
have finished blooming, and deadhead annuals to prolong flowering as much
as possible. It's important to keep up with weeding... the fewer weeds
left this fall, the fewer you’ll have next year. Before the
winter freeze sets in, lay down a thick cover of compost or mulch to protect
the plants.
Lawn – Keep mowing so the lawn isn’t stressed
going into the fall. Keep fallen leaves raked so they don't smother the
grass. Apply one more dose of “weed and feed” fertilizer to give it an
extra boost.
Outdoor Furniture – Vinyl furniture should be washed
and taken inside for storage. Wood furniture requires more care... check for
wear and damage, then do necessary repairs before storing it for the winter. This could
include gluing, replacing screws, adding nails, and repainting
or staining.
Decks and Patios – Wood decks must be cleaned and resealed periodically
to maintain beauty and structural integrity. Examine the deck for signs of wear and tear.
Check the patio... patch any cracks that have
developed so they don’t get worse over the winter.
House Exterior –
Now is a good time to check your caulking, patch cracks in the foundation
with mortar, and touch up any
peeling or cracking outdoor paint. Clean gutters so
melting snow and ice won’t get trapped this winter.
These quick and
simple preventive measures can make the coming winter and next spring
much more pleasant.