Put your yard and gardens to bed

You’ve been enjoying your yard and gardens all summer. Now it’s time to prep them for winter. Taking care of the yard and gardens in the fall means an easier clean-up come spring.

If you’re getting ready to list your home, a healthy and well-kept yard with clean, well-maintained gardens gives your property that all-important curbside appeal.

Checklist for garden clean-up

Remove dead foliage. Snip dead blossoms from the flowering plants, pull the last of the weeds, and rake or blow the fallen leaves from the beds. Remove any plants that died or rotted over the summer.

Apply mulch. Once the garden is cleared of debris, apply a generous layer of mulch to protect the plants from frost damage and cold temperatures.

Start composting. Fall is the ideal time to begin composting. Start with the dead-heads from flowers, vegetables you’ve dup up, grass clippings, and freshly fallen leaves.

Checklist for yard & outdoor maintenance

Rake the leaves. Clearing the yard of fallen leaves gives your property a clean, tidy appearance throughout the winter.

Clean the gutters. Clear your gutters of leaves, pine needles, and other debris before winter sets in.

Aerate. Fall is an excellent time to aerate the soil and give the grass a head start in the spring.

Fertilize. Apply a “winter” fertilizer to strengthen the roots of the grass and give your lawn added protection in the cold months. Winter fertilizing also helps to jumpstart grass growth in the spring.

Cover patio and deck furniture. Protect your furniture from snow and cold temperatures with outdoor furniture covers.

Turn off sprinkler system and disengage hoses. If you have an outdoor water feature, turn it off when you shut down the sprinklers and unscrew the hoses from the outdoor taps.

Clean and store pots and containers. Put empty flower pots and planters in a safe, out-of-the-way place where they won’t be damaged by weather, snow shovels, frost, and ice.

Happy clean-up!