Part One: Ten Projects Around the Yard

Late Summer Home Project Series: How to Maintain a Beautiful, Safe and Cozy Home: Part One

Part One: Ten Projects Around the Yard

As summer winds down in Maine, if you take a few hours a week to perform these projects now, you can have the benefit of warm weather - and be finished before the madness of life after labor day.

When selling a home or prior to home inspections, we advise clients to do many of the projects we will suggest in this series- but when done regularly they can save you thousands of dollars, an untold amount of stress, and a better life in your home each day.  

This is the first part of a Six Part Series, Best Late Summer Home Projects. 

Here are ten projects to think about in your late summer yard:

1. Clear out any plants you no longer want.

We have begun a project to convert our home gardens to all native plants in line with the Wild Seed Project’s Pledge to Rewild and to rid our yard of invasive plants. This season, as our non-native plants have gone past bloom, we have removed them and replaced them - to fulfill our goal to help bees, butterflies, and the local ecosystem. Make a garden plan goal for how you would like your garden to be designed and remove plants throughout the season if they don’t fit the plan.  Fertilize as you plant. 

Insider tip: A well maintained yard and garden can add 10%-15% to the selling price of a home.

2. Replace Spring Plantings with Fall Vegetables.

Pull those spring peas and plant some fall vegetables: beets, carrots, turnips, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy or kale for delicious fall recipes.  Check out the fall seeds from Pine Tree Seeds, a forty year old company right here in Maine.

3. Check Patio and Deck Area. 

• Give your patio furniture the once over for any needed repairs or maintenance;

• Check the patio or deck top, bottom, sides and underneath for cleaning, repair and safety and to make sure no animals can seek a home under them (consider installing wood lattice or other barriers);

• Schedule a professional powerwash of deck or siding if needed;

• Clean patio pillow cases & cushions; and

• Check grill or other patio equipment to make sure they are functioning safely and equipment and covers are free of holes and secure

4. Clear Out Lawn Clutter and unused home chemicals.

• Time to bring those old toys or lawn furniture items to the dump or donation spot;

• Get rid of lawn clutter or trash piles;

• Get ready to drain and store rain barrels and lawn hoses;

• Check the yard for logs or branches; and

• Look up days when the dump takes chemicals - or places to bring old paint - and take old paint, lawn or insect chemicals away from your living space and to a place for safe disposal.  Riverside Recycling in Portland often has chemical disposal days on the 1st Saturday of the month.  Old paint cans can be disposed of at many locations around Maine: see here. 

5. Check/Organize/Mend Outbuildings. 

• Is your shed a perfect winter home for rodents or insects? Shore up that wall, inspect all areas for evidence of pests, block access holes and get rid of any old materials like umbrellas or patio cushions that can be used as nesting material;

• Clear out and organize sheds for storing summer gear, toys, tools & equipment - store overhead, up high, hung on walls and ideally in the back of the shed;

• Check winter equipment, tools and toys for functionality and get rid of broken or unwanted items or repair them; and

• Make space in the front portion of storage sheds for easy access to fall/winter gear, supplies, equipment and toys.

6. Time to Purchase New Lawn or Patio Equipment? New Mower?

Watch the floor of your favorite store to see what goes on sale for garden closeout sales in August/September/October - purchase now for the best price but be sure to set up and try out all equipment before next spring.  

7. Need Winter Equipment?

Start shopping early for needed winter equipment and watch for the best prices.  Assemble and check all equipment as soon as you buy it and purchase supplies before winter sets in. 

8. Call the Snow Plow People

• Make sure they are scheduled to come when the snow flies;

• Make sure the driveway is ready for plowing and repair if needed;

• Grab some fluorescent poles for marking driveway edges; and

• Prepare for how you will store salt and sand (and perhaps some kitty litter for stuck cars) for easy application throughout the winter. 

9. Repair Items in the Yard. 

• Time to repair or replace raised beds;

• Inspect kids’ swing sets, firepits or other permanent yard equipment; and

• Inspect and perform needed fence repair.

10. Last Look for Garden & Tree Work. 

• As you clear out unwanted plants consider working on garden edging or stonework;

• Trim trees/branches around yard;

• Clear away brush and dead branches;

• Seed & fertilize the lawn - and consider keeping your lawn as natural as possible. 

Bonus Item #11: If you have a septic tank, consider hiring someone to check and pump the septic tank before winter - and perhaps consider insulation for your tank if needed.  Also, consider having someone inspect your well or water lines and have your water quality tested. 

Stay tuned - we will be making a checklist of all these items available soon on our website!  Did we miss anything from the yard? Email us and let us know. 

Next week: Late Summer Projects to Protect Your Home From Water Damage