ADDITIONAL FALL CHORES TO MAXIMIZE SPRING BENEFITS While you prep your beds for spring blooms, also make your gardening life easier next season by doing a bit of maintenance now. 1. Clean and sharpen your tools. This includes hand tools, shovels, rakes, and hoes. Wipe them down with a bit of oil to protect them against cold, wet winter conditions. Also, drain the gasoline out of the mower and clean the blade before storing. 2. Organize supplies. There’s no reason to store expired seeds and garden products. Toss them now. Then label all empty seed packets with the date they were planted and their location. Organize seeds you will plant in the spring, and keep them in a dry, cool location. 3. Store hoses and pots. Drain hoses, clean pots, and put them in a protected area to avoid cracking during freezing conditions.
CREATE A MOWING BORDER One additional task that is much easier to complete in the fall is creating a mowing border around your lawn. This will help eliminate the need for edging and keep grass from spreading to everything within reach. Narrow concrete pavers, some even shaped as arrows, easily fit together to create a division along the edge of the grass. To install them, dig a trench around the lawn. Compact the soil and add a layer of sand for drainage and stability. Lay the pavers together on the sand, leveling each one as you work. The top of the pavers should sit just below your preferred height for the grass. ENJOY THE OUTDOOR FALL CHORES Soon, winter weather will drive you inside. Before that happens, dig in, enjoy the crisp air, and give your garden the autumn revival it deserves. The effort will repay you later—with lush blooms, a healthier harvest, and far less frantic spring prep.
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October 2025
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