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

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This calendar month is a transitional one , one in which you ’ll be winding down the garden but also reach preparations for hunkering down indoors . Many of ourSeptember tasksdo not ensue in instant satisfaction , but when it ’s snowing this winter — or when your daffodil electric light bloom in outpouring — you’ll be beaming you look at the time to gibe them off your to - do listing this month .

1. Shop for Appliances

September is widely considered thebest month to buy home appliances . If you ’ve been putting off buy that raw oven , now might be the right clock time . producer debut their newest role model at this time of twelvemonth , so you may cull up last year ’s adaptation at a discount . Our template to the best kitchen appliance brandsis a upright piazza to start your research .

2. Plant Bulbs

abode gardener in USDA Zones 1 through 7 can beginplanting their spring bulbsin September . Before youplant daffodilortulip bulbs(or any other springtime ravisher ) , check the extended atmospheric condition prognosis . Bulbs need several weeks to root before the ground freezes . On the flip side , if your realm istoowarm , you ’ll terminate up with sprouted bulb .

3. Close the Pool

householder with pool , unless they dwell in tropical climate , should close and wrap up their pond this month . Closing a poolis a multi - step process , one that affect skimming out debris , shocking the pool and get down the body of water level , and top the pool with apool cover , among other affair . It ’s a time - consuming labor , but one you ’ll be very glad you did come spring .

4. Mulch Your Leaves

Instead of raking them up , mulch your leaveswith a lawn mower to provide much - needed food to your lawn . ( denounce for a mulching lawn mower ? Check outToro ’s 21 - inch RecyclerandRyobi ’s 40V HP Brushless 21 - inch ego - Propelled Cordless Walk Behind Mower , two top performers in our research guide to thebest mulching lawn mowers.)If you have more leave of absence than lawn , trycompostingthe leftovers .

5. Service Your Heater

sporting and defend your furnace nowso you ’ll be ready for a sudden cold snap . Check the pilot film luminousness , vacuum excess dust , and change thefurnace filter . If you come across a problem that ’s too big for you to repair , schedule a military service appointment now so you ’re not out in the cold next month .

6. Clean Your Tools

It will shortly be time towinterize lawn mowersandweed trimmersfor the season . Before you stow them , be certain to clear them of clipping and dust . And do n’t draw a blank to debilitate the gas from your lawn lawn mower or other gas - powered tools — doing so will make it easier to bulge out them in the springtime .

7. Save Your Seeds

As your garden conk back , deadhead your bloom andharvest the seeds . With a little time and preparation , you will have the makings for a successful planting season come spring .

For bloom , cut head once their seed fuel pod have dried ( or shortly before ) , then pay heed them upside down in a paper bag to dry . After allowing enough time for drying , remove the seed , discriminate them as much as potential from chaff and other plant material . For fruits and vegetables , harvest the seminal fluid once the yield or vegetable has become fully ripe . Before prepare the seeds out to dry , give them a thorough washing . Let these source dry in their pods on the flora before you garner them .

8. Have a Yard Sale

An remnant - of - summer yard sale will let you clear out your clutter and earn some money in the unconscious process . Make it a achiever by keep prices low and placing the best and large point out front to lure in passersby . If you ’re less than excited about having strangers paw through your stuff , hawk your merchandise virtually via popular online selling apps .

9. Seed and Sod

Because of cooling temperatures and sunny day , early September is theperfect meter of year to plant seedand turf cold - atmospheric condition grasses . Planting from seed is loud , but it require a mo more care and maintenance in the offset . lay greensward is a great resolution for spill lawns or area prone to erosion , but you will need heavy watering as the root take hold in the yard . Need help finding thebest grass source for your M ? See our research guides to thebest pasture seed for overseedingand thebest grass cum for shade .

10. Check the Roof

wintertime weather can make for havoc on the roof . Before the first snow , agree your rooffor loose shingles and making water . While you ’re up there , clean fall leaves from the guttersto prevent basement implosion therapy and ice dam .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - ground game out back — and select the ripe plants for your soil and neighborhood .

Woman with long curly hair pushes an orange wheelbarrow down a path in her garden.