Don’t worry about home ownership – Be happy

The first cool snap of the fall! What a relief from the hot, dry summer we’ve had. It’s not a time to worry about scrambling to get your home and property ready for the fall and winter months yet, but it is a reminder that the seasons are changing. That means you need to start considering what to do to prepare for the colder temperatures.
The cooler temperatures we’ll have the next few days are a reminder that summer is nearing the end and fall is starting to tip toe into our area. There are still several warm, and maybe even hot, days ahead, but it’s time to start thinking about fall season preparations.
Soon, the grass will stop growing (thankfully – less mowing) and the leaves will start turning beautiful colors and start falling from the trees. This would be a good time to purchase leaf bags from the hardware store if you plan to dispose of the leaves and clippings rather than use them for flowerbeds and for amending your garden soil. I personally will not dispose of any of the leaves or clippings and will use the materials mother nature provides to cover my flowerbeds and the soil areas around trees with the mulch provided by the leaves. I cover this topic in much more detail in the “Fall Maintenance” book if you get a chance to get it.
Other things you should start taking note of are caulking around windows and doors, repairing and sealing siding areas, sealing possible rodent entry points around the house, and getting materials for freeze protection for the outside faucets and outdoor living areas.
Also, if you own a travel trailer, RV, or boat, you will need to start gathering materials to winterize them if you don’t plan to use them before winter sets in. Be proactive and protect your investment so that it will be ready for next spring.
It’s not time to winterize your lawn sprinkler system yet, if you plan on winterizing it, because the system will still be needed in the fall months if mother nature doesn’t provide adequate moisture for the ground.
Have a few tissues available to dry your eyes when you shed a few tears seeing the summer pass and transition to the fall and winter months.
If you have any specific topics about home maintenance during the fall season and you don’t find the answers to your questions in the Fall Maintenance book, feel free to drop me a note and I’ll compose a blog to help answer your questions.