Keep a Festive Fall Yard
The separation of home maintenance responsibilities between the landlord and tenant varies based on lease agreements and local laws. However, generally speaking, yard maintenance – the cleaning and upkeep of grass, shrubs, trees, flowers and gardens – falls to the renter. So what chores should you be doing to keep the outside of your rental looking great during the fall and ready for the spring (as well as your landlord happy)? Here are some basic tips for getting the most from your autumn yard.
Rake and Blow Leaves
Besides being aesthetically appealing – who wants to look at a brown, red and yellow-covered lawn? – removing the fallen leaves from your lawn will help your grass stay healthy throughout the fall and winter and come back strong in the spring. Leaves can smother the grass and block sunlight, both of which inhibit grass growth. Also, while using a blower to remove leaves is often faster and more convenient, going old-fashion with a rake every several weeks will help aerate your lawn.
Apply Herbicides
Using herbicides on broadleaf weeds, especially dandelions, will kill the unwanted, ever-growing pesky weeds and protect your lawn so it can flourish in the spring.
Keep Watering
Even though we’ve entered the cool season, continue to water your trees and shrubs until your first freeze. Doing so will make it easier for them to survive the winter. You may also consider winterizing shrubs by creating shelters to protect them from harsh temperatures.
Move Inside
Both your garden hose and lawn mower need to be drained and stored inside for the winter. Drain all the water from the house and move it under shelter. Also drain the gas, but leave the oil, out of your lawn mower. Doing this will make restarting your mower in the spring much easier.
Plant
Fall is the prime time to plant perennials, so feel free to continue to grow your flower garden even in the cooler months.
The needed quality of overall yard maintenance is usually dictated by your lease, local ordinances and/or the landlord’s homeowner’s association, so be sure to check with your landlord about expectations. Also ask him or her about bigger yard issues, such as tree or branch removal, and as always, have all agreements written and signed to save future hassles.