. I wanted to take maximum advantage of this weekend's unseasonably warm weather (low 80s) to do things I knew I wouldn't feel like doing once it gets cooler. This is what I did this weekend:
1. Took out window screens for the winter (it's so much nicer to look out windows sans screens) and then washed the windows, which were really dusty from when they removed/replaced my siding this past summer. A few of the screens will remain, just in case I want to open a window on another warm day, but I think we've seen the best of it.
2. Tidied up and swept the garage floor. It's amazing how dirty and cluttered my garage gets. But now I can pull my car in there, which I usually only do when there's snow forecast.
3. Moved the kayak into the basement. It was sitting out in my driveway but I figured if I didn't manage to go out kayaking this weekend, I wasn't going to for the rest of the season. (You have to wade into the water at least ankle deep, and it can get chilly.)
4. I watered all my potted perennials thoroughly, then moved them into the back of the garage to overwinter. They usually survive ok, so it'll save me time and money to keep them. The annuals I'll leave outside until the frost kills them.
5. I pulled up the rest of the veggie plants in the garden and pulled out all the stakes.
6. I swept the upper portion of the driveway.
7. I cut up and hauled away some Norway maple branches.
8. I drained and disconnected my garden hose so it won't freeze and crack the hose.
9. I was going to turn the outside water off to protect pipes in the garage from freezing, but I think I won't do that, cus I'd have to turn the well water off at the tank, which will mean I'll lose my charge and it's a pain to recharge the tank. I may lose the charge anyway. Can't remember how that went last spring. I have insulation on the pipes and the faucet head and it seems to have done ok in the past.
10. My friend Ron came over with his 90-something dad (on their way to visiting his niece for lunch) to help me remove a cheap door knob/lock that got stuck in the locked position. I hadn't been able to use my basement door, which leads to the garage, for weeks becus of this stupid Kwik-Set lock. I plan to call them tomorrow to complain. I can still lock the door with the dead-bolt backup lock I have, but I have a wad of newspaper jammed in the space where the door knob goes so that bugs don't get in the basement.
I guess I will buy a replacement at Ace since I have a $5 off coupon if I spend $20.
I have a fairly busy week ahead, with 3 driving trips.
Early fall chores galore
October 9th, 2011 at 09:24 pm
October 9th, 2011 at 09:33 pm 1318195985
October 9th, 2011 at 11:42 pm 1318203762
October 9th, 2011 at 11:48 pm 1318204121
October 10th, 2011 at 02:53 am 1318215210
October 10th, 2011 at 12:24 pm 1318249441
Yeah, the plants go dormant. Best place for them is in an attached garage or cool dark basement. I sometimes water them once or twice over the winter if they look very dry, but that's it. All the foliage will die back but in spring they'll come to life.
Many people also have success overwintering potted plants by burying them in the ground, while still in the pot. To me that just seems like too much work. Or, some people also overwinter by just putting them in a protected area outside, against the house, covered with some insulation leaves or hay. But this is the least successful method. A cool, dark basement or garage is best and if you have very cold winters, throw some hay over them.