What To Do Seasonal Calendar

January

Start the year by changing your furnace filter and consider upgrading to a pleated filter to improve air quality. Clean out your messiest closet. Put a closet organizer in or add plastic bins. Clean kitchen exhaust fan filters, vacuum bathroom vent fan covers & clean dishwasher food filters. Recycle your Christmas tree as garden mulch or a bird feeder. Feed the birds and provide them with some unfrozen water.

February

Do some interior painting for a new look to any and all rooms. Clean bathroom and kitchen sinks by putting stoppers in sinks, adding 1/2 cup of bleach to a gallon of warm water, scrubbing the sinks and releasing the mix down the drain. If you leave water overnight the bleach will kill bacteria in the drain and help it smell fresh. Clean and organize the garage, maybe put some shelving and pegboards up for all those tools.

March

Rake debris from the lawn after the snow has melted. This will help prepare the lawn for the following month, when you'll start your lawn maintenance. Prune dead limbs from trees. Head to the garage and make sure your lawn mower is ready. Change the spark plugs, get the blade sharpened and oil all moving parts. If  you have hardwood floors, put down a fresh coat of water-based urethane finish.

April

Start your four-step lawn fertilizing program. Step one is to rake the lawn, core aerate the grass and apply a crabgrass preventer. When changing clocks for daylight saving time, also change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Start spring-cleaning. Flip your mattresses, clean the carpets, clear out the fridge/freezer and wash windows.

May

If you have central air, use a garden hose to spray the condensor and remove all debris. If you have a window air conditioner, install them. Turn off your whole-house humidifier, if you have one. Change furnace filters again. Clear the leaves from gutters. If you haven't already, drain the snow blower fuel. Apply a coat of epoxy to the garage floor to help prevent road salt from chipping holes in the concrete. Motorcycle Awareness Month.

June

 June is home inspection month, to determine how your house survived the winter. Inspect roof, check for missing caulk around doors and windows and pull out your dryer, vacuuming out the vent tube. Check the attic to insure it is freefrom wasp nests. This will also help keep the entire house cooler. It's also time for fertilizing. Apply a weed-and-feed to help fertilize the lawn and control weeds. Begin exterior painting projects.

July

 When you begin seeing moths, it is time to apply an insect repellent to your lawn. Apply lightweight oil to your home's locks and door hinges. Also, apply some lightweight grease to garage door rollers. This should be done once a year. Clean the exhaust fan over the oven by removing the screens, washing them in warm soapy water and scrubbing out grease that has accumulated in the fan housing.

August

During August increase the frequency of lawn, flower and plant watering. Remove any diseased foliage now, so it doesn't get lost in the fall leaves. Begin dividing perennials. Drain your water heater. This should be done once a year and will prolong the life and efficiency of the unit. Prune summer flowering shrubs as the flowers fade. Trim and feed handing baskets to prolong their beauty.

September

Get ready for the winter weather. Inspect windows and doors for leaks. Check gutters, downspouts and roof penetrations for leaks, too. Install energy-saving light bulbs. Have your heating system cleaned and serviced to ensure safe operation. Watch for frost warning and cover tender plants. Harvest remaining vegetables, including green tomatoes.

October

When the first frost comes, remove all exterior hoses on your house to avoid freezing and cracked pipes. Check and repair caulk if needed around exterior surfaces, especially window and door frames. Also note any cracks in foundation, brick or stucco. Make sure all vacationing houseplants are brought back inside. Clean and put away empty containers and garden ornaments. Clean and sharpen gardening tools.

November

Change furnace filters before the heating season. Clean and inspect all fireplaces. Spruce up your house before the holidays. Repair and repaint where needed. Add window film to windows which can increase efficiency by 50%. Rake leaves and make leaf mold or compost. Keep weeding. Turn off and on plumbing shut-off valves.

December

Are you ready for the snow? Better get ready by setting up some snowmelt in the front and back yards and keep a shovel at both locations. If  you have a snow blower, make sure you inspect the blade, moving parts and add fresh fuel. Take out the holiday lights and make sure they're in working order before hanging.