October not only brings cooler temperatures and a lot of work. There is a lot to do, from the right oneLawn care in fallto preparing the house and garden for the cold and bad weather. To help you, we have created a short to-do list and reveal what work needs to be done in October.
1. Repair concrete
Cracks, chips, and crumbling spots in concrete driveways, walkways, and patios will worsen over the winter, and when that happens, the damage will be expensive to repair. Making repairs now, before the weather turns, will save you time and money. To repair concrete, you must first scrape the cracks to remove loose debris. Then apply the repair material with a trowel or spatula and allow the mixture to harden.
2. Refresh the bathroom
Excessive humidity in the bathroom can lead to mold growth. Unfortunately, this is a common side effect of the damp autumn weather. Don't despair, fight it with a few simple tips! First, clean the surfaces with mold-killing cleaners such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Then remove old, cracked, and moldy caulk with a utility knife or caulk remover and replace it with waterproof silicone. Also improve if possiblethe ventilation of the room, by installing an exhaust fan or running a dehumidifier.
3. Winterize the garden
Walk around your property and remove any dried or dead annual plants from the flower and vegetable garden - this important task prevents rot and pests from establishing themselves. Then cover the garden beds with a thick layer of mulch so that the rest of your perennials get through the winter healthy and protected. Container plants can be brought indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below 10 degrees. We explain what further work lies ahead in October and November and what still needs to be done in the autumn gardenin this article.
4. Plant flower bulbs
According to gardening wisdom, you should tidy up your garden by October 21st. However, before you prepare your garden for winter, you should make room forspring-blooming flower bulbscreate. It is best to plant tulips and daffodils 15 centimeters deep and 15 centimeters apart. If deer orSquirrels in your gardenIf you are looking for delicacies, you should rather plant daffodils, as the animals like them less than tulips.
5. Seal the house
Heating a drafty house costs more energy and money. That's why it's worth eliminating drafts before you turn on the stove. Check window frames and door jambs inside and out for holes, cracks, or crumbling caulk. Apply weatherstripping to close gaps in door frames and windows, and apply new caulk if necessary to seal your home. In a few months, you'll be glad you took the time to keep the howling winter wind at bay.
6. Check smoke detectors in October
Have you installed smoke detectors in every bedroom, children's room and hallway? And what about fire protection in the basement? Install additional smoke detectors if necessary and ensure they are always fully functional by checking the batteries monthly. Put a reminder in your cell phone calendar.
7. Repaint kitchen fronts
The choice of kitchen furniture is largely responsible for the style and ambience of the kitchen. If your kitchen cabinets are looking chipped, worn, or dated, you'll want to give them a quick refresh. Remove the doors and hardware and give everything a new coat of paint. To add some variety to the kitchen, you can swap out the drawer handles and knobs oropen shelvesattach.
8. Check the chimney in October
You probably didn't use your fireplace during the summer, so you'll want to give it a thorough maintenance before you light that first crackling fire of the season. First, inspect the chimney from the outside - cracks, cracks or corrosion are signs that you need to call in a craftsman. Check the inside of the chimney for soot deposits and make sure the damper can be closed and opened easily.
9. Build a boot holder yourself
The upcoming rainy days of October mean that mud and moisture will inevitably find their way into the house. You can prevent this with a homemade boot holder. Installing one of these simple devices in your entryway or front door will keep your floor clean.
10. Craft with pumpkins in October
Pumpkins are an integral part of fall decorating – and for good reason. Whether you want to create a centerpiece for the dinner table or a jack-o-lantern for the patio, this seasonal vegetable is the perfect kid-friendly craft material. Give yourself a break from your fall chores and create your own pumpkin project. Here you will findsome suggestionsfor starters.
