Summer is winding down and the yard starts looking a little spent, the kids are back in school, and it´s time to make sure that your home is ready for the winter.

• Drain hot water heater. Flush and refill.
• Change the furnace filter.
• Wash out garbage cans, disinfect, then rinse thoroughly.
• For areas where you have great Indian Summers, take advantage of a few last barbecues before the weather changes. Otherwise, clean, repair, and store patio furniture.
• If you haven´t already, check basement for cracks or leaks. Seal if necessary.
• If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate.
• For plants that are starting to die back, remove litter and deadhead flowers.
• Add compost, manure, and mulch to garden beds.
• Plant late autumn vegetables like cabbage, peas, spinach, and swiss chard.
• Divide perennials, iris, and bulbs.
• Remove sick or dead trees and shrubs.
• Seed lawn if your yard has patchy spots. Fertilizing now also encourages good root development.
• Before it gets cold, have an automatic irrigation system installed. (Scheduling is easier with less competition than in the spring and summer.)
• Do your "spring" cleaning now before the chilly weather sets in and enjoy a clean house or the holidays.