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Fall, 2004
 Content: • Fall fixes Fall fixes Getting your home and yard ready for wintertime Are you geared up for the autumn cleanup season? Now's the time for getting those outdoor chores out of the way — wait too much longer and Old Man Winter is liable to put a damper on your plans. This fall, take a good look at your house from a stranger's perspective. Does your home have "curb appeal?" Are the doors in good shape? Are the shutters bright, or have they faded in the summer sun? Is the landscaping attractive? Will crocus, tulips and daffodils be blooming in the spring? Start with the big picture and tackle what needs the most work first. Cool fall days are great times to touch up the paint on your home's exterior. Just be sure to check the forecast for several days running. Paint needs time to dry before a big storm blows in. If your vinyl siding looks dingy now, just think about how it will look next spring. Power washers are a great easy way to give your home that attractive clean look. If your deck needs some sprucing up before winter, consider protecting it with a water-repellent finish. October and November are also good months to replace railings and handrails on porches and decks. When autumn is in full force, many folks will be concerned about their gutters filling up with leaves and other debris. Matt Noonan III of Noonan Hardware says there are several ways to clean up that mess. Noonan carries a tool that he describes as an extendable pole with a sweeper-type nozzle. "It goes into the gutter and blows the leaves out," he says. "There are a lot of people who really shouldn't be up on ladders, so this works well for them." Some people use leaf blowers to clean out gutters and some use power washers, Noonan adds. If you want to do away with gutter muck for good, you might want to invest in gutter toppers. If birds, squirrels or other small animals are a problem, consider installing a screen to keep critters from seeking refuge in your chimney. Also, check for loose shingles in and around the chimney. As Noonan points out, if you can't handle heights, stay off ladders and hire a professional handyman. And for safety’s sake, never climb a ladder or walk on a roof if you are alone in the yard. Even a short fall from a ladder can be devastating. Once you are back on the ground, take a good look in your garage. Unless that area is heated, you may be running out of time to give it a thorough cleaning. Enlist the help of a relative or a friend and move mowers, bicycles and boxes out of the way. Tackle cobwebs, wash the windows and hose down the floor. If you have holiday decorations stored in the garage, consider dusting them off and putting them in an easy-to-access place. Get organized. Install hooks for ladders, push brooms, rakes and bicycles. Purchase extra bins to store toys and pet food. If your pet is going to be wintering in the garage, fill its sleeping area with cedar chips. This will keep your pooch warm and smelling nice, too. Don't feel like you have to put back everything you’ve removed. Be ruthless — if you haven’t used it in a while and it isn’t vitally important to someone you love — dispose of the clutter. Once you've finished with the house and garage work, take the time to tackle the lawn. Mark McWilliams of Green View Landscaping says autumn is the best time to plant bulbs, shrubs and most kinds of trees — with the exception of dogwoods. "Most people think of planting in the spring, but fall is really the best time to do most of it," McWilliams says. Putting in plants while they are in their dormant stage allows the roots to develop until the ground freezes. Dormant plants don't require a lot of watering and Mother Nature usually provides a few good soil soakings. However, don't wait too long to put in those trees, McWilliams says. While December may be the best time to decorate an evergreen, very late fall and winter are not the time to plant pines and spruces. Just remember, if in doubt, ask. Planting is hard work and you don’t want all your labor to go to waste. Finally, when you're leaves are all bagged, the house looks great and even the storm windows are shining — you are ready for the holidays, winter — and even next spring. Just remember not to put the snow shovel too far back in the garage. You might need it sooner than you think!  RETURN TO TOP |
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