Autumn is here. Cold, rainy and foggy days are coming. It’s worth already to prepare the family house to this season. Many outdoor tasks are waiting for the owners.
Check more frequently the rain pipes. Continuously falling color leaves can plug them easily when they are watered into it from the roof also.
Not all types of fallen leaves are good for the soil, grass and flowers. Leaf-litter should always be raked on dry days that won’t cause problems after rain. It can be gathered in compost, if there is any, but put it out in a special sack, garbage collectors take it away too.
The last nice, sunny days should be used for tiding the flower beds. Cut the old flower heads, weed it and mow the lawn. Let’s walk down the garden pathway and check if any of the tiles is broken. These should be replaced before the frosts because cold and moisture will worsen their condition. Pull out weeds grown between the tiles. Pebbly or gravel path should be filled up if necessary.
In the case of a garden lake or a fountain, the falling leaves can cause more tasks. Water should be continuously cleaned, even if there is no fish in it avoiding staling. Fountain must be dewatered before the first frost. It’s practical to cover them with foil in winter.
Animal keepers have to pay attention to their pets and domestic animals. Hutches and stables should be filled with warm litter. Haphazard cracks on the walls should be repaired to keep the cold outside. A thick, old blanket or carpet can be put in the dog house. Let’s buy feeders for birds or renew the old ones.
Mat at the front door can be complemented with a mud-scraper which helps keeping the hall clean in wet weather also. If there is a stair leading from the garden and/or the street to the door, let’s ascertain that it is non-skidding in rainy weather also. If the old jagged slabs are too dingy, they should be replaced for safety.
Let’s enjoy the warm colors of autumn and the decoration opportunities offered by berried branches after outdoor tasks.