The first half of October is a great time to start getting ready for winter. Since Wisconsin weather can shift quickly, try to finish outdoor projects before nights get cold enough to freeze.
Begin with your lawn. Early October is a good time to use a quality lawn food like Scotts Step 4 for Fall. This will help your grass grow stronger roots and get ready for winter, so it comes back healthier in spring. It’s best to apply between Labor Day and mid-October. A Scotts lawn spreader will help you apply it evenly. Remember to follow the directions on the package.
Keep picking up leaves, branches, and other yard debris all month long. Quality rakes, leaf bags, tarps, and leaf blowers such as STIHL or EGO can help make fall cleanup easier.
Mow your lawn one last time and clean out your gutters before it gets too cold. If you have bigger jobs, renting or purchasing needed power tools like hedge trimmers, string trimmers, lawn thatchers, and dump trailers is a great idea.
Before the first hard freeze, disconnect your garden hoses and drain out any leftover water. Consider hose storage, outdoor faucet covers, pipe insulation, and other plumbing supplies to help keep your pipes from freezing.
Get your lawn equipment ready for storage by clearing off grass and debris, checking vital fluids, and adding fuel stabilizer if needed. And don’t forget your small-engine oil, spark plugs, and other maintenance supplies.
Inside your home, change your furnace filter, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check windows and doors for drafts. Pick up weather stripping, caulk, batteries, and replacement detectors while you still have time to fix things.
Finally, check that your snow shovels, ice melt, and other winter supplies are ready to go. If you start in early October, you can get everything done without feeling hurried.
Follow these tips and you’ll be all set before our first Wisconsin snowfall.
clint.kimps@gmail.com, www.kimpshardware.com, (920) 434-1079
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