06 Oct Home Tip Of The Week: Fall Outdoor To-Do List
The crisp, fall breeze is finally in the air, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to head inside just yet. Autumn is a great time to get in your yard and tackle some to-dos before chillier weather comes our way.
- Continue regular maintenance. Rake as the leaves fall, and keep watering and mowing your lawn as needed. Gradually lower the mower’s blade throughout the season, but don’t trim off more than 1/3 of the grass’ blades at any one time.
- Aerate and fertilize. Aeration helps oxygen, water, and fertilizer reach the grass’s roots. Mid-to-late fall is the best time to fertilize since the plant sugars protect roots from freezing and give it the energy to bounce back in the spring.
- Protect your fragile plants. Pound in three stakes around the shrub, drape a double layer of burlap over the stakes, and fasten them with twine or staples. For heartier plants that have weathered the cold season before, just add some additional mulch to warm the soil and help retain moisture.
- Gather seeds. Save your seeds from spent plants, like sunflowers and salad greens, and save money during spring planting.
- Start planting now for a beautiful spring. Use this list of 20 perennials that get a healthy start in cooler temps.
- Add outdoor lighting. As the sun starts going down earlier in the evening, make sure your walkways are sufficiently lit for potential guests.
- Decorate your porch. Use what mother nature provides for your front door decor! Add fall color with mums and other flowers. Pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, cornstalks, pinecones, and leaves are all great elements to incorporate. You can even use items you probably already own like a chalkboard, wheelbarrow, crate, wooden ladder, or a rocking chair. Have outdoor furniture? Add throw pillows and some cozy throw blankets in fall colors.
Complete all of these tasks, and your porch and yard will be in good shape!
