A Little Preparation Makes Leaf Season Easier

There’s a point every fall when we stop admiring the leaves and start thinking about how we’re going to pick them all up. Here in Connecticut, that change of heart can happen pretty quickly. One windy afternoon and suddenly the driveway has disappeared.

Before you devote an entire weekend to raking, a little preparation can make the work easier. Now is a good time to check your tools, think about where those leaves will go, and make a plan that leaves you with enough energy to enjoy the rest of the day.

Start with the rake. A wide, fan-shaped leaf rake is useful for open lawn areas, while a smaller one makes it easier to work around shrubs and flower beds. Check for a loose handle or broken tines before getting started. If you’re buying a replacement, hold it and try the motion in the store. A rake that feels awkward after a few seconds probably won’t improve after an hour.

A few simple accessories can help, too. Leaf scoops, sometimes called leaf claws, let you pick up more than you can with your hands alone. A bag holder keeps paper lawn bags open while you fill them, which saves the familiar wrestling match with a bag that keeps folding shut. Gloves with a good grip are another worthwhile addition.

Then there’s the humble tarp. Spread one near your work area, rake leaves onto it, and move a manageable load to your compost pile or collection spot. Keep the loads small, especially if you’re working alone. Dragging a mountain of wet leaves across the yard can be just as tiring as carrying it.

If you use a leaf blower, take it out now and check that it’s ready. Charge batteries or follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions before the day you need it. Wear hearing and eye protection, and be considerate about where the leaves and dust are going. Your neighbor probably has enough leaves of their own.

Timing makes a difference. Dry leaves are easier to handle than wet ones, and a calm day gives you a better chance of keeping your progress. Work in sections and clear steps, sidewalks, and entrances first. Wet leaves can make those surfaces slippery, even when the rest of the yard can wait.

For older homeowners, especially, give yourself permission to change how you tackle this job. Clear a small area, take a break, and decide whether you feel up to another section. Wear sturdy shoes, keep your movements comfortable, and move your feet instead of twisting to toss leaves behind you. Bags don’t have to be full to be ready for pickup.

If balance, stamina, or joint trouble makes yardwork difficult, arrange help early. A family member, neighbor, or yard service can take on the heavier work while you handle smaller tasks. There’s no prize for finishing the whole yard yourself.

You may also be able to skip some bagging. A mulching mower can chop a light covering of leaves into small pieces that settle among the grass. You should still see plenty of grass afterward; a thick blanket needs additional attention. Leaves can also go into compost. Check your town’s current collection rules before setting anything out.

Finally, remember that leaves don’t all land on the lawn. Take a look at your roof and gutters from the ground. Debris collecting in roof valleys or spilling over gutter edges deserves attention, and downspout outlets should stay clear. Arrange qualified help for work that requires getting onto the roof, and check again as more leaves fall.

A little planning now can save plenty of effort later. Get your tools ready, take the yard one section at a time, and leave yourself a chance to enjoy the season. Those colorful trees are still worth a look, even when they’re making work for us.

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 odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Start Now To Grow Gorgeous Grass This Year

With the colder weather hopefully behind us, you might already be dreaming about backyard barbecues and comfortable evenings enjoying the outdoors. With such a mild winter and spring already shooting up in the form of early flowers, now is actually a great time to start getting your lawn in order. It may seem early, but there are a few steps you can take now to make sure your grass looks great and green all season long. Here is what you need to know.

Start by performing a soil test. Grass can be finicky and the pH level of your soil will help you to better understand how to treat it. Experts suggest that the pH level should be between 6.0 and 7.0 and your reading will help you to figure out what nutrients your lawn needs. A soil test is always a smart first step so you don’t go out and buy fertilizer and seed that isn’t the right match. A soil test can be done by a professional landscaper or you can purchase a test kit at any hardware store.

Next, it’s time for clean-up. Start by removing any winter debris such as sticks, leaves, and needles. Then give your yard a good rake, even if it’s free of debris. Raking will dethatch the lawn, picking out the dead matter that collects on the bottom of the grass blades, closest to the ground. During the winter, thatch is good because it acts as a layer of warmth and protection. But as the temperature rises, it can block new grass from coming up. 

Once the lawn has been dethatched, it’s time for aeration. An aerator is a bit like a manual lawn mower but instead of cutting the grass, it pokes holes in the ground. Aeration is important because all grass needs sun, air, and water to grow. Aerating the lawn allows for better air and water flow and lets nutrients get to the roots of the grass more easily. Most people skip this step but I think it’s essential. 

Now I like to treat my lawn with a pre-emergent to help contain weeds. As I mentioned before, grass can be very temperamental, but weeds are strong and will grow in pretty much any condition. If left untreated, they will pop up all over your lawn and compete with grass for sunlight and water. Plus, they spread very easily. Depending on your soil test and the kind of law you have, a pre-emergent will help to keep those weeds at bay which will help your lawn to flourish.

Once your weeds have been treated, it’s time to reseed any bare spots. Thinning is normal with mature lawns, so you may want to reseed the entire lawn or just portions of it. The type of seed you use will depend on your lawn and your soil, so make sure you consult with the expert at your local hardware store before you buy your grass seed. A spreader makes this job quick and easy but the key is to keep the ground moist to allow the seeds to germinate. 

Finally, it’s time for fertilizer. You’ve worked this hard so make sure to give your grass the best possible chance to survive and thrive. Again, fertilizer is not a one size fits all product, and what’s right for your lawn depends on a number of factors. The key is to make sure the fertilizer you select has the nutrients your lawn needs to grow lush and beautiful. 

With all these tips comes one warning. While you might be tempted to get the mower out, it’s better to start slowly and let the grass grow a bit longer in the early season. If you follow the steps above and give the lawn a good clean-up before mowing, you’ll have longer, thicker, healthier grass all season long. Happy growing!

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 visitwww.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

September Home Maintenance Tasks to Tackle

With cold weather in the near future, now is the perfect time to get your home ready for winter. There are a lot of tasks that homeowners have to handle in the fall, which is why I recommend getting started early before it gets too chilly. What are the most important things you should do to keep your home both comfortable and protected this season? Here are my top five tips. 

Gutters

Before we know it, leaves will be clogging up your gutters and downspouts. If you’ve ever thought about installing gutter guards, now is the time to do it. Guards will protect your gutters from debris and help you to avoid that cumbersome autumn clean-out. Plus, clear gutters are the only way to ensure that rainwater is removed from your home properly.

Doors

With so much moisture in the air this summer, many elements of our homes have expanded. You may notice that your doors are sticking, making them more difficult to open. As the weather cools and the wood contracts, there may be gaps that will let cold air come right into the house. Make sure that your door sweep is in good working order and install some weather stripping to seal any space between the door and its frame.

Insulation

Most homes that I visit are under-insulated, which is a problem in both the summer and in the winter. Insulation helps regulate the temperature of a home, allowing for heat retention and overall comfort. Lots of homeowners I meet tell me that their second floor is much warmer than the first, a surefire sign that a house doesn’t have enough insulation. 

Roof

Now is a great time to inspect your roof to make sure that there is no damage to the shingles and the flashing around the chimney. As snow sits on a roof for much longer than rain, it’s easy to get leaks in the wintertime. Any current roof issues should be dealt with before the cold weather hits to make sure that a small problem doesn’t become a big one.

Windows

When I visit a house, I will often use a thermal camera to see how much heat is being lost. Old wood sash or aluminum windows are both major culprits. New vinyl windows are great in terms of energy efficiency and heat loss reduction, and at my own house, we love the tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning. 

Being a homeowner requires a lot of maintenance, but the investment is worth it to keep you and your family comfortable all year round. Plus, you’ll see the difference in those ever-soaring power and gas bills.

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 visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.