Fall jobs for the yard and the outside of the house

Fall is the best time to feed and seed a lawn and the last good window for outside repairs before the weather turns. Gutters fill with leaves, small roof problems get worse under snow and ice, and beds benefit from mulch before the first freeze. The inside of the house is covered in the winter home prep planner; this one is about the yard and the outside.

The planner runs from the ground up: lawn first, then beds, then gutters and roof, then the gaps that let the weather in.

Step 1: Overseed and feed the lawn

Cool-season grass seeds best in early fall, while the soil is still warm and the nights are cool. Rake out dead grass, spread the seed at the rate on the bag, keep it damp, and apply a fall lawn fertilizer according to the label.

Step 2: Mulch the beds and plant

A layer of mulch after the first cool weeks protects roots from the freeze and thaw cycle. Cut a clean edge, keep mulch off stems and trunks, and space new plants and bulbs by the plant spacing for each.

Step 3: Clear the gutters

Leaves in the gutters mean water over the edge and ice at the eaves. Clear them after most of the leaves have fallen, flush the downspouts and check the joints and hangers. Use a ladder of the right length, set on firm ground.

Step 4: Check the roof and the flashing

Look from the ground or with binoculars for missing or curled shingles and damaged flashing. A small repair now is cheaper than a leak in winter. If the roof is near the end of its life, plan the replacement and the ice protection at the eaves.

Step 5: Seal the gaps and finish outdoor paint

Caulk gaps around windows, doors and trim, and seal around pipes where they enter the wall. Fall is also the last chance for exterior paint or stain, on a day that is dry and above the minimum temperature on the label.

Before you start

• The area of the lawn and each bed.
• The date of the first expected frost in your area.
• A ladder that is the right height and a helper to steady it.
• A dry, mild day for caulk, paint and stain.
• Leaf bags or a compost pile ready.

Mistakes that cost people money

• Seeding the lawn too late, so the seedlings do not establish before the freeze.
• Clearing the gutters before the leaves have finished falling.
• Heaping mulch against trunks and house walls.
• Climbing a ladder alone, or on soft ground.
• Caulking or painting when it is too cold or damp for the product to cure.

Frequently asked questions