Now’s the time to prepare for the frost, which isn’t far away.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, we could see that initial frost by early October, which leaves only about eight weeks to work.
The first step is to divide the tasks into smaller subsets that can be performed during the upcoming weeks.
Next, organize the tools so you’re not looking for a shovel in the middle of a job.
Figure out what to do with any yard waste that isn’t accepted by your trash hauler. Check with your township or city to see if they offer brush pick-up and composting services.
Basic cleanup should include pulling weeds, moving wood piles, transplanting trees, shrubs and rose bushes and trimming bushes, shrubs and trees. If you choose to trim your own trees, be safe and get help. Never work in high places alone and be sure you’ve researched the best ways to trim specific types of trees.
Dispose of old lawn furniture, rusted barbecue grills, broken or unusable pottery and plastic pots.
Put any unused bricks, paver blocks, wood or other construction materials out for others to use. Put them in a public spot with a “help yourself” sign and you’ll be surprised how quickly they disappear.
No matter where you’re working, be aware of any animal and insect life you might disrupt. It’s no fun to end up in the middle of a swarm of angry wasps or wake up a resting snake or two.
Don’t forget to drain garden hoses and turn off any outside water supplies once you’ve finished with your chores.
Even though we hope the need doesn’t arise, now is also a good time to prepare your snowblower. The time to discover a problem is not when there’s six inches of snow on your driveway.
If you need some motivation, plan an end-of-summer party. I have a friend who regularly hosts a summer solstice party, but since we’re coming upon a different time of year, how about an autumnal equinox celebration?
The official time when the nights begin to grow longer than days occurs on Sept. 23, so plan accordingly.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.
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