Fall Home Maintenance and Garden Tips
1. Clean out gutters and downspouts.
This is also a good opportunity to make sure that water from downspouts is channeled away from the home via a drainage system or splash blocks. (Downspouts should never deposit water directly next to the foundation.)
2. Replace smoke and CO alarm batteries.
Time flies... do you remember when your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries were last replaced? A yearly event such as Daylight Saving Time, coming up on November 6, can be a good milestone to use as a reminder.
3. Take a peek into the attic.
The attic isn't exactly anyone's favorite place, but checking it even just once a year helps prevent unpleasant surprises such as mold or pests. Look for:
- Detached ductwork sending moist air into the attic space instead of outside.
- Signs of rodents, such as stained insulation.
- Access points for pests, such as torn vent screens.
Tip: Attics need good ventilation, which is why keeping vent openings unblocked by insulation is very important. Home inspectors often say they actually like to feel a slight breeze up there.
4. Check the fireplace.
Are you planning to cozy up to a fire this winter? If the fireplace and chimney haven't been cleaned for a while, now might be a good time to do it. (Gas fireplaces are much lower maintenance than wood fireplaces, but they still collect dust and need to be serviced occasionally.)
5. Service the heating system.
Beat the early winter rush! Many heating systems need to be serviced annually, and in a month or two heating contractors are far more likely to be swamped with calls.
Tip: Forced air furnaces should typically be cleaned once a year, and filters may need to be changed or cleaned every month or so during cold weather.
6. Drain gasoline from powered appliances.
Experts write passionate blog posts about gummy deposits and possible engine death that can result from letting gasoline go stale in a lawn mower.
7. Think twice before pruning!
Pruning in the fall stimulates new growth just when plants are about to go dormant, according to Rodale's Organic Life. They and other experts recommend waiting until mid-winter or spring to prune plants, shrubs, and trees.
8. Plant spring-blooming bulbs.
Fall is the time to plant daffodils, tulips, lilies, and hyacinths.
9. Get houseplants ready for winter.
Dry winter air is hard on houseplants, while at the same time they typically require less water. The Gardenista website has a good article on how to keep houseplants happy until springtime.
10. Do something that's "for the birds".
Many birds migrate for thousands of miles in the fall. These species can really benefit from oil-rich food such as Black Oil Sunflower Seeds and suet to provide energy for their journey
11. Help pollinators by preserving fall leaves.
Did you know that many butterflies, moths, and other important pollinators lay their eggs on leaves? Their caterpillars, other larval stages, and even some bees depend on overwintering safely in leaf litter.
More and more homeowners have begun dedicating a small portion of their yard as a "wild area", where fallen leaves get moved to and left until late spring instead of being chopped up or bagged.
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