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Clean-Up Before Winter Sets In
Leaf Clean Up
Use a high pressure hose to spray the leaves into a pile. The wet leaves compress into trash bags more efficiently or they can be added to a mulch pile. Since they are wet the wind won't blow them back all over the yard again. Saved me a lot of time this year.
Windows & Screens
I notice that my window sills, this time of year, look forgotten... maybe some bits of leaves and the spiders are looking for a warm place to live! I take my vacuum cleaner hose nozzle off of my wand-- and thoroughly suction out the sills now, as heating season starts. If there is a nice collection of cobwebs and leaf parts there, you may want to hold your hand against the hose nozzle to make sure and get everything sucked down into your vacuum cleaner! Also, rather than bother with washing screens (yuck!) I will use my vacuum nozzle suction there, too, screens look great after... SO MUCH easier than taking out one at a time, getting garden hose out and etc.!
Collecting
Don't forget to collect the leaves, pine cones, seeds, sticks, etc. for your craft projects for Fall and Winter.
Fireplace Ashes
Don't know what to do with those fireplace ashes? Save them for the spring and use them to keep the slugs out of the garden areas! Slugs don't like ashes or sawdust.
Windows
Remove the debris from the window areas. They won't be able to drain properly otherwise. Take down screens and awnings and wash & store them.
Chimney
Have your chimney checked once a year and install a chimney cap to keep out animals and other items that could block the chimney.
Gutters
Remove the leaves from your gutters. Leaves left in the gutters will cause them to clog and possibly collapse.
Old Costumes
Donate old Halloween costumes to a day-care center, or family center. The kids will love playing dress-up with them.
Firewood
Burn only well seasoned hardwoods, such as oak, maple, beech, ash or hickory.
Mower
At the end of the season, remove the oil and spark plugs from your lawn mower. Also lightly oil your tools.
Source Unknown
Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration.
~Lou Erickson
Rub fresh Sage leaves on stings and bites. Or crush some fresh leaves into cuts and scrapes on the way to thoroughly washing and bandaging them.
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