I gave up making resolutions a long time ago. I assume I don’t have to explain why. So I see this post as more of a to-do list - you know, all the things that you should do as a home owner but some how you never get around to doing it. Call it a Resolution to Care for Your Home or a Year-Long To Do List but make a commitment to keep it over the next year.

January - February

  • Now is the time to start planning your landscape efforts for the coming season. Walk around your yard, make a map of what you want to do and when you want to do it.
  • Since you are stuck inside most of the time, use this time to get your deep cleaning and drudgery work out of the way:
  • Clean out your cupboards - and set some things aside for the food bank - wash them and reorganize.
  • Clean out your junk drawer.
  • Wash all your window treatments so that you can make the most of the little sunshine we get this time of year. If you need to/want to replace any of your linens, this is the time to do it! White sales are everywhere from mid-January to mid-February!
  • Check windows, sills, doors and frames for areas that need to be re-caulked or re-sealed.
  • Treat your wood floors to a deep clean and polish - there are a few great products on the market that will help you do it over a series of 2-3 days.
  • Dust ducts, ceiling fans, the vents in your bath and above your stove.

March

  • Need an excuse to open your windows and let in the little hints of spring? Paint a room or two.
  • Keep an eye on your gutters to make sure they are not backing up. There are parts of the country (including New England) where the freeze-thaw pattern can wreak havoc on your roof and fascia boards.
  • Clean out your garden for the coming season (I leave flower and grass stalks, seed heads, etc. for winter interest and animal benefits)
  • De-thatch and Seed your lawn

April

  • Fix leaking faucets
  • Clean gutters and downspouts (if you didn’t have to do it March).
  • Check for signs of termites and carpenter ants (pay particular attention to anywhere that fencing or other exterior wood sits against the frame of your house).
  • Do a maintenance check of your heating, gas, electric, water heater
  • Have your chimney cleaned and inspected
  • Wash your windows

May

  • Check trees for damaged or diseased branches and those that are too close to the roof, wires, etc. and have them removed
  • Reseal driveway
  • Plant summer-blooming bulbs (lily, gladiolus, etc.)
  • Add compost and mulch to your gardens
  • Check your windows and screens for minor repair and maintenance needs and do them.

June-August

  • Keep mulch away from the foundation of the house and the base of trees to prevent insect damage.
  • Keeping your lawn de-thatched is a great natural grub deterrent - they feed on the thatch.
  • Get your furnace serviced

See tomorrow’s blog for September - December Resolutions - I have to keep you coming back don’t I?