Nothing quite says autumn like crisp air in the mornings, leaves bursting with color, and pumpkin spice in your coffee mug. The seasonal change is finally upon us in Colorado, and that means it’s time to prepare your home and garden for the winter weather ahead.  

Here’s a handy checklist to ensure your home and garden are ready and well protected for the impending cold season: 

Home

✓ Clear gutters and downspouts of debris.
✓ Schedule a furnace checkup (a licensed technician will clean and service the unit and replace the filter). Are you more the DIY type? Check out this tutorial and replace the filter yourself.
✓ Remove screens and swap them out with storm windows and doors.
✓ Weatherstrip doors and windows (don’t forget the garage, too).
✓ Clear the dryer vent for efficiency.
✓ Test smoke/carbon monoxide alarms and ensure fire extinguishers haven’t expired.
✓ Caulk any exterior cracks or openings where air or water can seep into your home—hotspots to check include where masonry meets siding, window and door frames, and holes where wiring or water lines enter the structure.
✓ Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push air up, circulating warm air back through your rooms.
✓ If you own a snow blower, complete a maintenance check and purchase fuel to keep on hand.

Lawn & Garden

✓ Aerate and fertilize lawn areas.
✓ Lay a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch on garden beds and at the base of plants.
✓ Offer grasses and plants a deep watering during dry spells.
✓ Got bulbs? Dig up, dry, and store them ‘til spring.
✓ Plant spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, allium, hyacinth, and crocus).
✓ Empty and stow pots and planters.
✓ Vanquish perennial weeds with an effective herbicide.
✓ Drain hoses and store in a protected place, such as the garage.
✓ Blow out irrigation lines (an air compressor is a handy tool for this).
✓ Clean, sharpen, and store tools (garden shears, shovels, rakes, mower blades, etc.).
✓ Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets.

There you have it: a little work now will be rewarded in spring when temperatures thaw and plants begin poking through the earth. In the meantime, delight in the fall colors—before you know it, it will be time to dust off your skis and snowshoes to partake in the fun Colorado snow activities. Happy autumn!

For over thirty years, Berkeley Homes has built new homes in thriving communities and earned a respected reputation in the Denver-Metro area. Our homeowners enjoy low-maintenance homes constructed with the highest-quality craftsmanship. Contact us today and explore the Berkeley difference for yourself.