KATHY HOME & GARDEN TIPS - HOUSE AND GARDEN FALL JOBS
Now that it has finally cooled
off it is time to tackle more pre-winter jobs around the house and garden.
If you don't have siding on
your house and you have peeling paint it's time to treat these areas before the
cold and snow comes. Scrape the area well. Prime with a good primer made for
outdoor use. Paint with a thick hand, making sure it's not going to rain for at
least a day.
Even with a brick house
check the window sills, soffits and other areas that have uncovered wood.
While checking for wood that
needs painting you can also look for spots that need caulking. This is
especially important around windows. Caulking
will keep out water as well as cold drafts.
The garden needs attention
too. Start pulling up plants that are no longer producing.
Most of the soil in the Chicagoland area is
alkaline (heavy clay), so now is a good time to augment the soil. Peat moss is
a good additive. It will slowly make the soil more tillable over the winter.
To add nutrients to the soil
you might plant a ground cover over the entire garden. Winter rye, rye grass and buckwheat are good
choices. Dig them into the soil before they flower.
Keep an eye on the gutters.
Clean them as necessary. Clogged gutters will deteriorate the roof as rain
water bounces back and goes under the shingles. Full gutters can also add to ice
damning in the winter.
Last but not least, try
starting the snow blower now. If the blower needs servicing then take the time now
to do it rather than waiting for the first big snow.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH &
DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
