The Great Fall Clean-Up Myth

Every year when the leaves start to turn, homeowners across town dust off the rakes, fire up the leaf blowers, and march into the yard for what’s become a ritual: the Great Fall Clean-Up. But here’s the thing, some of these chores are more about tradition than actual necessity. If you’d rather spend your weekends enjoying pumpkin spice lattes than breaking your back outside, here’s your cheat sheet to what really matters and what you can skip.

Worth Your Time

1. Cleaning the Gutters

It’s not glamorous, but clogged gutters are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Left unchecked, they’ll channel water into your roof, walls, and foundation. A quick afternoon of scooping, flushing, and securing those downspouts could save you thousands in repairs later.

2. Mulching the Leaves

Forget the endless raking and bagging. Studies show mulching leaves into your lawn actually improves the soil and feeds the grass. Just run them over with your mower a couple of times, and let nature do the rest. Your back and the landfill will thank you.

3. Sealing Cracks and Gaps

Little gaps around windows, doors, and siding don’t just let in cold air—they invite rodents and bugs looking for a cozy winter spot. A $5 tube of caulk and an hour of your time will pay off all season long.

4. Lawn & Garden Final Touches

Cutting your lawn a little shorter before winter reduces the chance of snow mold. And pulling out dead annuals now means fewer pests setting up camp until spring. Think of it as giving your yard a clean slate.

Save Your Energy

1. Raking Every Last Leaf

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to chase every leaf off your lawn. As long as you mulch the bulk of them, a few stragglers won’t hurt. In fact, leaves in garden beds act as natural insulation for plants and critters.

2. Pruning Trees and Shrubs

Put down the shears. Most trees and shrubs actually prefer to be pruned in late winter or early spring, when they’re dormant. Fall pruning can stress them and leave them vulnerable to disease.

3. Fertilizing

Many homeowners reach for fertilizer in the fall, but if your lawn is already healthy, you’re better off holding off until spring. Overdoing it now can actually weaken the grass over the winter months.

The fall season is about preparing your home and yard for the months ahead, not exhausting yourself with tasks that don’t move the needle. Focus on the chores that protect your house from water, pests, and energy loss, and let go of the ones that are more about keeping up appearances.

Because let’s face it: nobody ever sat down at Thanksgiving dinner and said, “Wow, your yard was raked so perfectly in October.” But everyone appreciates a warm, draft-free house and a lawn that comes back strong in the spring.

So this year, skip the guilt-driven marathon clean-up. Do what counts, ditch what doesn’t, and enjoy the season for what it was meant for - apple cider, football games, and not wearing yourself out before the snow even falls.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Why Fall Might Just Be Your Garden’s Secret Weapon

Most people think of fall as the time to put the garden to bed - pull the weeds, store the tools, and dream about next spring. But seasoned gardeners know better: late summer and early fall can be the start of a whole new harvest season. With the right timing and a few simple steps, you can enjoy crisp, homegrown vegetables well into the cooler months - even past the first frost.

If your garden’s been looking a little neglected, this is your second chance to make it thrive. Here’s how to get started:

1. Know your frost dates

Your fall garden success hinges on timing. Cool-weather crops need to mature before daytime highs consistently dip into the low 50s. In our region, the first frost usually arrives in mid-October, which means you have roughly six weeks to get plants established. Mark that on your calendar and work backward to plan your planting schedule.

2. Give your plants a cozy cover

Even hardy vegetables appreciate a little shelter. Cold frames are a gardener’s best friend in the fall -  they trap heat, block wind, and extend your harvest. You can buy one at a garden center, build your own with plywood and plastic sheeting, or repurpose materials you already have. For small garden beds, a hinged plexiglass lid works wonders; for bigger spaces, opt for heavy-duty plastic stretched over a simple frame.

3. Invest in your soil’s future

If you’re not planning to harvest this fall, plant a cover crop instead. Cover crops boost soil health, prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and can even feed your soil with nitrogen. Edible options include peas and beans, while clover, rye, buckwheat, and sorghum are excellent for pure soil enrichment.

What to plant now

Fall is prime time for cool-weather champions. Leafy greens like chard, kale, lettuce, and spinach love the chill. Broccoli, beets, carrots, and radishes can handle a bit of frost, while root vegetables like fennel, parsnips, turnips, and Brussels sprouts practically thrive in it. And if you want a sweet treat for later, rhubarb might just become your new favorite fall project.

Even if you decide not to plant this year, keep this guide handy. Come next season, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running and planting for an early, delicious harvest.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visithttp://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

5 Late‑Summer Home Projects to Tackle

As summer winds down here in Connecticut, now is a golden opportunity to tackle home improvement projects with maximum return. Late summer offers warm, dry days that are perfect for outdoor work before the wet chill of fall sets in. Here are five smart projects every homeowner should consider while there’s still daylight (and deck furniture to enjoy).

1. Exterior Painting or Staining

August and early September give you cooler, less humid weather which are ideal conditions for paint and stain to dry evenly without peeling or blistering. Whether it’s freshening up siding, restoring your deck, or repainting trim, late summer ensures the new finish cures properly for a long-lasting result.

2. Roof Inspection & Minor Repairs

Summer storms can loosen flashing and shingles, and if left unchecked, those small issues become leaks once the snow flies. A roof check now helps you avoid water damage and insulation headaches. Plus, contractors in Connecticut can often still fit this work into their schedules before fall gets busy.

3. Gutter Cleaning & Guard Installation

Leaves haven’t started falling yet, so now’s the best time to clean out your gutters and downspouts. While you’re at it, consider adding gutter guards. This prepares your home for leaf season and keeps you off the ladder in cold weather. It’s an investment you won’t regret. 

4. Window Sealing or Replacement

Drafty windows? Now’s the time to replace or seal them before the heating season hits. Caulking and weatherstripping stop cold air in its tracks, while double‑pane, energy-efficient replacements reduce your heating bills. Connecticut homeowners can tap into rebate programs for these upgrades. Check out Energize CT for information.

5. Driveway Sealing or Repairs

Sealcoating your asphalt driveway protects it from salt, freeze-thaw cycles, and ice damage, just what Connecticut winters bring. Asphalt requires daytime temps above 50 °F to cure; late summer givesplenty of time before cooler weather sets in.

Late summer may feel like the calm before the leaf blowers, but it’s also prime time for smart homeowners to take care of the jobs that will protect and preserve their homes into the colder months. A little time and effort now can go a long way toward keeping your home dry, warm, and efficient all season long.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.