End of Summer Checklist

Labor Day has come and gone, kids are back in school, and football season has kicked off. Summer may not officially be over, but the season is rapidly wrapping up and fall will be here before we all know it.While it is easy to procrastinate and try to soak up the remaining days of summer, here are a few productive ways to close out the season and prepare for the next.  Fall means leaves, and leaves mean clogged gutters. Make sure your gutters are clean and clear for the foliage onslaught they will likely face in the coming months. Tackling the project now, means you won’t have to pull double duty on gutter gunk and it can save your home from costly water-based incidents. As we all know, water expands as it turns to ice, and you don't want that expansion to happen inside of your pressurized irrigation system. Be sure to have those sprinkler lines blown empty after that last watering of the season. This can be done by a professional or on your own if you have an air compressor. As temps drop you won't be the only one wanting to snuggle up in your warm home. Creepy crawlers like being warm and cozy as much as you do. Now is the perfect time to seal up any holes around your home and even lay out deterrents or traps if you feel it necessary. Peppermint oil is a great deterrent for little critters of the fuzzy, and buggy varieties. For some reason, they hate the stuff. Winterize your everything. Home, vehicle, boat, RV, etc. Make sure to have everything drained, cleaned, covered and topped off with the right fluids to get through the big chilly. Having a healthy spring lawn starts with your prep in the fall. Giving your grass a low buzz cut gives it a great opportunity to start fresh in the spring, and helps to prevent disease and mold during the snowy season. 2.5 inches is the recommended final height before the snow flys.