We’ve all heard the old proverb: “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” It’s a perfect description of this month’s temperamental weather conditions. There may be a chill in the air now, but we know warmer days will soon be here. Spring into your March home to-dos with a list of our top 5 tasks.
Clean Patio Furniture
If your outdoor furniture has spent the winter in the elements, it’s probably looking grimy. Scrub down your chairs and tables with soap and water before you begin using them this spring. No one wants to sit on a dirty cushion. Throw your washable cushions or cushion covers into the laundry. If the cushions are worn or damaged, now is the perfect time to replace them.
Tune-up Garden Tools
This includes your lawnmower. Don’t start the summer with dull blades. Make time this weekend to take your mower and clippers in for a good sharpening and tune-up. Your enviable summer yard begins with sharp tools.
Plant a Tree
Spring and fall are the best times to plant a tree. Cool temps and wet weather are ideal conditions for root systems to get established. Ask your local nursery which species will do best in your microclimate. Also, get planting instructions. How deep should your planting hole be, and how wide? If your area is prone to late frost, you may want to put this task off another month. Don’t risk freezing your newly planted sapling.
Remember to plant your tree a safe distance from your home’s exterior to prevent its root system from expanding beneath your home’s foundation.
Check the Foundation.
Look for signs of cracks or movement in concrete slabs. This includes flaking or chipped concrete. Remember, exterior slabs should drain away from your home’s foundation. Keep an eye out for pools of water near your home’s foundation that won’t drain properly. Moisture near the foundation of your home can cause the soil to expand. Expanding soil can put pressure on your home’s foundation and may cause your home to shift over time. The website Suresafe.com offers great tips on How to Inspect Your Own Foundation.
Clean Out the Gutters.
Clear debris from gutters before spring rains and melting snow overload them. Your gutter system should drain water safely away from the foundation of your home. Too often, we see downspouts directing water into pools that sit near a home’s foundation. Hire a professional to clean your gutters depending on how comfortable you are on a ladder. If you feel capable of tackling the task, read our article Clean Your Gutters Like a Boss before heading up your ladder.
Enjoy the fickle weather this month. With our 5 Homeowner To-Dos for March, you can set aside a weekend to busy yourself with these important tasks. However, since it’s March we’re talking about, you may find yourself stuck inside during a weekend rainstorm. If so, you’ll need no “Rainy Weekend To-Do List.” We’d like to recommend: couch, movie, popcorn…repeat.