Autumn is the perfect time to sit back and let nature put on a display in your outdoor home. From the leaves changing colors to the cooler temperatures, fall all about taking advantage of everything the season offers. But don’t think that all your work is done! This season still requires regular lawn, landscaping and curb appeal maintenance to keep your home looking good throughout the winter and into next spring. Here are 10 landscaping mistakes not to make this fall.
1. Don’t overlook painting your home
While you might think that landscaping only pertains to plants and ground cover, your exterior home’s color plays a big role in the overall look of your exterior. Fall is the perfect time to opt for a new paint job or retouch chipping paint to make your landscaping show in the best light.
2.Don’t forget hardscape areas are just as important as soft landscaping
Landscaping can be broken into two smaller categories – soft and hard. Soft landscaping is that which is live and has texture and can be planted. Hardscaping refers to sidewalks, driveways, rocks, mulch and pavers placed around your home for safety, function and beauty. Keep your driveways clean by power washing throughout the fall months and into the winter months.
3. Don’t overlook window planters
Window or plant boxes are a great way to add texture to your outdoor home and add an accent color to your siding. Window boxes are perfect for homes that don’t have large grounds but still want to add greenery to your home’s façade.
4. Don’t mistake the beauty of fallen leaves as a reason not to rake
If you live in a home that has many mature and older trees, you may get caught up in the nostalgia of falling autumn leaves, but they can also be dangerous if not raked regularly. Fallen leaves can hide a sidewalk or walkways that are in disrepair and can get wet and slippery for pedestrians. Rake leaves weekly during the fall months to avoid a possible accident.
5. Fall doesn’t mean the end of pool maintenance
For many pool owners, the end of summer symbolizes the end of pool maintenance — forget about it until next spring! Think again. Even during the fall months your pool will need to keep its chemicals at balanced levels, and fallen debris, leaves and bugs will need to be cleaned out weekly.
6. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting your yard tools
Every fall, your yard and gardening tools get put away in your garden shed or garage and are forgotten about until spring. Before you let them “hibernate” for the cooler months, ensure they are all working, cleaned off from dirt and debris and are stored correctly. Don’t let soil, moisture or other debris make your tools unusable in the upcoming seasons.
7. Don’t think that your fall lawn doesn’t need fertilizer and care
Just because your fall lawn isn’t growing at the same rapid growth as the summer months, your lawn still needs upkeep such as cutting, and fertilizing. Look to your local nursery or home improvement garden center for local growing guides based on your climate and demographics. A fall lawn that is fertilized on a fall seasonal routine will help from getting damaged during the colder winter months ahead.
8. Remember your neighbors in the fall outdoor season
Since autumn is a time when families get busier with school, work and extra-curricular indoor activities, don’t neglect your neighbor’s views and safety in the care of your outdoor home. Remember to keep your shared sidewalks raked free of leaves and ensure overlying tree branches are kept trimmed and safe away from power lines for fall and winter rain and snow damage.
9. Don’t forget to plant spring bulbs this fall for colorful blooms next year
The fall is the best time to start thinking about colorful flowers sprouting in the spring. Check with your local nursery on what flowering bulbs are best to plant now while the soil is still soft before winter’s frost. You will love how your fall planting now will lead to a gorgeous garden in the spring. Make sure you plant them low enough into the ground to keep your bulbs from freezing!
10. Don’t forget to use colorful ground cover to add visual interest
While you may think fall means that your outdoor home will lack color, think otherwise with creative and colorful ground covering solutions. Colored wood and rubber mulch varieties provide a gorgeous backdrop for evergreen trees and coniferous plants. Ground hugging plants like cranberry cotoneaster and other hedge plants can make for an autumn show of color your outdoor home will love!
Source: http://www.bobvila.com/nation/post/10-landscaping-mistakes-not-to-make-this-fall
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