September tips for home and garden

Although the weather is still mild, you may have noticed a slight chill in the air and the evenings drawing in. Summer is waning and Autumn is nearly here. With it comes a list of things to do around the house and garden to get your home ready for the season. So, here is a quick checklist to help you get prepped and ready for the cooler months ahead.

Get Cosy:
Swap your lighter duvet for the heavier Winter one and put some throws or blankets on the sofas. Add some cushions and perhaps some heavier rugs on bare floors.

Order the fuel:
If you are lucky enough to have wood burners, order in the fire wood. Don't forget to order any solid fuel that you need and make sure your oil tank is topped up if you have oil fired central heating. Check chimneys and fireplaces are clean and clear.

Stay safe:
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace old batteries and check expiration dates of any fire safety equipment you may have.

Check your gutters:
One of the most common causes of damp is in the home is a blocked gutter. Check your gutters and drains and remove any old leaves, moss or other material that may have built up.

Service heating:
Make sure central heating is running well. Think about getting the boiler serviced and make there are no airlocks in the radiators. Test the thermostat nd make sure it's working properly.

Garden chores:
Cut the grass, rake out the old dead grass and moss and apply lawncare such as a weed and feed treatment. Prune roses and other shrubs abd trim hedges and have a think about planting some Spring bulbs. Daffodils are traditionally planted in September and early October, while tulips are left until a little later in the Autumn. And if you have a pond, net it over now to stop leaves clogging it up.

Care for exterior wood:
While the weather is still dry, it's the perfect time to paint sheds and fences and check facias, soffits and windows on the house.

It won't be long before we lose our daylight hours, so make the most of these autumnal months to you prepped for the winter ahead.