No..no...nooooooooo can the summer be gone? How can it be? I am still fighting the bunnies and chipmunks for my tomatoes. Hands full of green beans for the pot and small mounds of green peppers turning red on my porch. My attention is riveted as I watch the cherry tree leaves falling like light snow to the ground.
Still in denial, at first I thought the premature drop was due to the severe lack of rainfall in this area the last 2 months. However with the crisp low 50 degree mornings we have had the tulip tree leaves are starting to turn and join the rest in their rush to the ground. Time to haul out the "Fall To Do" list and get started!
Let these suggestions get you ready for the change thats coming.
Call your heating maintenance company for a fall service check that includes inspecting and replacing filters.
If you have a fireplace, its a good idea to make sure birds have not nested in your chimney.
Nows a great time to disconnect and thoroughly clean your dryer vents, heating vents and cold air returns in your home.
Remove and store water hoses after the first frost or two. Remember to flood irrigate your tender or newly planted evergreens, they tend to get dehydrated over the long winter months.
If you haven't done so lately, take the time to check out your gutters to make sure that all are free flowing, because when the cold rains of autumn come, you will want to be cozy inside!
Plant some new spring flower bulbs! There is nothing more exciting than to see the first flush of crocus or early daffodils peeking through the snow. Put a small scattering of them near a window that you see out of often, like a kitchen or dining area window.
Divide your perennial plants like hostas, daylilies and so on.
Prune shrubbery and do any moves or transplanting of small trees.
Clean out the annual beds and vegetable gardens after first frost and mulch with chopped leaves, layers of shredded newspaper, Add a bit of 10-10-10 fertilizer to help with the breakdown and give the soil ready nutrients for next year. If you are fortunate enough to find some, bunny manure is a great addition as well.
When you are ready to pack up the mower for the season, DON'T. Take it to your local maintenance shop instead and have them service it. It has worked long and hard for you this year, you want it ready to go in the spring, with a newly sharpened blade, fresh oil in the tank and a new spark plug.
Don't let the snowblower be neglected either, at the first 6 inches of snow is not a good time to wonder if it will start!
Great tips Jody! I will remember them when our fall comes in NC
Linda, Thanks for the comment. You all have a bit longer to wait thank goodness! I tend to wait too long to start and then when the leaves start hitting me hard and fast, I run out of time. One of these days I will have to find a house that is not in a woods to live in.