Bob Vila’s 10 “Must Do” Projects for May

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May is a month deserving celebrating . As the days become warmer and sunnier , seasonal to - do both inside and outside the house seem like less of a job . Make the most of this energizing month by getting your lawn off to a good start , maintaining outdoor puppet and cogwheel , and meliorate your base ’s curb appealingness . In formulation for the hot summer calendar month ahead , you ’ll also need to make trusted that your fans and air conditioners are ready to go .

1. Sharpen Mower Blades

Not only does a sharp blade keep your lawn mower in backsheesh - top shape , but doing so can in reality improve your lawn ’s appearing . Dull blade can towboat and rip grass instead of trimming it flawlessly . If your lawn looks ragged , it may mean it ’s time to take the lawn mower blade to the hardware store for a professional sharpening . If you choose tosharpen mower bladesyourself , you ’ll need a mill and some thickwork boxing glove , like theIronclad Ranchworx employment gloves — and alawn mower blade sharpener , of track .

2. Open the Swimming Pool for the Season

It ’s a well idea toopen your swimming poolwhen temperatures in your area are systematically 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day . May is when most U.S. pool owners should be skimming , shock the pool , and sum up algaecide , though given the clean weather condition in Southern state some have surely been swim for a calendar month now .

3. Get the Grill Ready

If your grillwork has been hibernating under the awning on the patio , pull it out and prep it for the meddling season . Put in the work now and you’re able to enjoy a spontaneous barbeque whenever the humor strikes you . Checkgas grillsfor any clog or impedimenta in the burner jets and ensure you have ample propane on hand . If you own acharcoal grillwork , clean it of any ash and lubricating oil . To de - gunk the grill top to bottom without breathe in noxious fumes , adjudicate the non-poisonous and biodegradableCitruSafe Grill and Grate Cleaner . The made - in - the - USA nebulizer was the top performing artist in our recenthands - on tests of the best grill dry cleaners .

4. Tune Up the Air Conditioner

Just as you readied your furnace for fall , now is the time to verify that yourair condition unitsare in good workings order for the warmer month ahead . Change or clean the filter , suss out hose connection for leaks , and confirm that the drainage pans are drain freely . If you suspect performance or efficiency problems with your air conditioning system , call a pro now . Homeowners withwindow air conditioners should put in them now , before temperature hang glide . If you ’re in the mart for a windowpane AC , ourhands - on tests of the upright small window air conditionersis a good stead to start .

5. Paint the House

Nothing makes a bigger impact on your home ’s curb ingathering than anew exterior pigment job . Before you pick out yourhouse blusher colors , there are a few maintenance tasks to take care of : First , check the siding for any discredited or rotting boards — you’ll need to make mending before you paint . Then chip away and sandpaper any flaking paint so the fresh paint adheres decently . Finally , remove sure-enough caulkfrom around windows and threshold and reseal them with a paintable sealant . If you require advice about the correct paint to use , see ourresearched template to the best exterior paints .

6. Organize the Garage

The garage is often a multipurpose storage room , but that does n’t make it the menage dumping ground . If yours is overrun with fuddle , take a cheery good afternoon to roll up the threshold andclean out the garage — you may find that you do n’t have to buy as many Lycopersicon esculentum cages and plant stakes this yr as you cogitate you did . Make certain you properlydispose of erstwhile paint , batteries , and menage chemical substance . fit with municipal authorities to ascertain the correct way to dispose of these and otherhazardous permissive waste materials ; your city may even offer exceptional porchside pick - up .

7. Illuminate the Yard

Whether you want a little extrasecurity lightingin your front yard or you ’d like brighter illumination around the back patio and path , solar path lightsare a detectable menage improvement , but are not a vast investment . These little lamp are wanton to install and , because they ’re power by the sun , they ’ll never ramp up your electrical energy neb . Beau Jardin ’s Solar Pathway Lightsare super well-fixed to tack together , rustproof , and weather resistant .

8. Clean Your Garden Tools

You ’d never dream of returning used silverware to a kitchen draftsman without washing it , but many nursing home gardeners do something nearly as tough : stash dirt - cakedgarden toolsin the service department or shed after use . This use is more than but dirty ; it can do major damage to tools over metre . When you ’re end up set , digging , and weeding , clean garden toolsbefore putting them aside . Dry them soundly to prevent rust , then wipe the blades and grip inlinseed oilto keep them looking and working like novel .

9. Redress the Windows

During the winter month , it stool signified toinsulate window with wakeless drapesand blinds . In warm weather calendar month , however , it ’s a well idea to swap them out for sheers — those thin , transparent curtains that provide just enough privacy while tolerate light and breeze in through open windows ( theHLC.ME white sheer curtain panelsare our go - tos ) . If sheers are n’t your matter , consider swapping in solar projection screen shades that let in light while block excess heating . They will keeps yourhome ’s temperature , and AC bills , at a well-fixed tier .

10. Pest-Proof the Patio

Pest bar for your yardstarts now : Mosquitoes breed in standing water , so be diligent about dumping rain and runoff from pots , piece of furniture , and birdbath . Consider addingmosquito - repellent plantslike citronella pasturage or marigolds to your flush bed . DIYers who savour woodworking can also stress building abat theater . These gentle creatures eat horde of bugs each night , and wreak you that much closer to abug - free backyard .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few sens on your terrace , a raised bed , or an in - ground secret plan out back — and select the right plants for your soil and region .

Colorful flowers planted in dirt, a trowel stuck in alongside.