Autumn has fallen upon us; the days are getting shorter, the temperatures and leaves are falling, and it is the time to start nesting.
How do you change your life in the fall and winter? Before you seriously begin nesting it is time to put the yard and gardens to bed. Yes, everything really does nest in the cooler weather.
1. Make sure that you clean up all old plant material and mulch the more delicate plants so that they weather over the frigid temperatures.
2. Mow the lawn a bit shorter and apply a winter fertilizer to give it strength.
3. Clean up all of your yard tools so that they do not rust over the winter.
4. Unhook and clean out the rain barrels. It you live in a climate where it gets below freezing, you may want to store them inside.
5. Make sure that you unhook all outdoor hoses and release all of the water from them.
6. Keep your gutters clean and free of all the leaves and debris that falls at this time of the year. It will help to counteract those annoying ice dams.
7. I find that it is time to start filling the freezer and bring out the fall and winter recipes. In the summer, we use our grill for almost every meal. In the fall I love to fill the house with the warm smells of homemade chicken soup, chili, and minestrone. It is time for that comfort food.
8. Change over your home scent- especially if you are trying to sell your home. Bring out the smell of pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves, and apples.
9. Change your timers on your indoor lights and set a lamp in a window. Again, if you are selling a home, a glowing lamp in the front window makes Buyers think that it is a warm and welcoming house.
10. Get your furnace checked and cleaned . Install a new air filter.
There are obviously many other ways to start nesting. Those can be addressed on another day. While I do not really love the idea of colder temperatures and shorter days, warm soups, good books, and cozy blankets can be enticing.
