September 2006
Linda's Tips
Beautiful, cool, crisp fall days are the perfect time to prepare your home and yard for the upcoming winter months. Here's a partial list to get you started.
- Cut back dry stems of perennials to remove pest eggs and disease spores.
- Avoid excessive pruning of trees and bushes in the fall, as it can delay the dormancy process starting in anticipation of winter months. Any new growth may be injured by an early freeze.
- Wrap stems or trunks of young trees with wire or tree-guard products to protect them from hungry critters during the winter. You may also want to screen evergreens from drying winter sun and wind with burlap screens, especially exposed broad-leaved types.
- Build up your garden soil by adding manure, compost and leaves.
- Check your home for drafts by holding a lit candle next to closed exterior doors and windows and spots where plumbing or wiring penetrates exterior walls. If the flame flickers or goes out, there may be a leak that needs to be caulked, sealed or weather stripped.
- Check your roof for necessary repairs and inspect your gutters and downspouts to ensure they are free flowing.
- Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and your heating system serviced if you haven't done so in a while. Replace your filter.
- Clean your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace the batteries.
|
