7 Important Things Every Homeowner Should Do to Their Yard in November

1. Clean Gutters

When summer comes to an end and leaves slowly dance off tree branches, they often fall into your gutters. Sticks and other build-up can cause issues if they’re not removed. Snow and water won’t be able to drain out of the gutter and if it’s cold enough, this can cause an ice dam. 

Cleaning your gutters is one of the things you should do to your yard to keep water and snow flowing freely. Some homeowners opt for gutter guards that cut the job in half. A gutter guard is a piece of material that provides a barrier that stops most falling debris from getting into the gutter in the first place.

2. Seal Windows and Doors

If you’ve ever been in a house with drafts, you definitely know it. Having a cold, drafty home in the winter is not only uncomfortable, but it’s also a great way to waste money. Before it’s time to turn the heat on, make sure you seal windows and doors to prevent any drafts. 

There are inexpensive products such as caulk and weather stripping kits that can prevent cold air from coming into your home. You can take things a step further and add insulated shades or curtains on your windows.

Another affordable way to seal windows is by placing clear plastic over them. There are kits available for all window sizes and it’s easy to install and remove.

3. Drain Outdoor Water Tools

Any faucet or outdoor item that uses water should be drained before the weather gets too cold. While you can do this anytime before November, many homeowners provide their lawns with one last watering before the first freeze. 

Hoses, pressure washers, and sprinkles need to be drained entirely. This prevents any potentially damaging freezing. Because water expands when it freezes, these tools could be damaged if you don’t drain them. 

This is another one of the things you should do to your yard to save money in the long run. A sprinkler system can get quite expensive to fix or replace. 

4. Replace Air Filters

The average homeowner doesn’t replace their air filters enough. If you live with pets, more than four people, or anyone with an immuno-compromised system, these should be replaced every 30 to 60 days. 

Although this isn’t something you should do to your yard, it’s important enough to mention here. Changing the air filters in your house is the perfect way to have clean air in your house during winter. 

The vast majority of people spend their time indoors as the weather gets colder. Having a clean air filter can also help you save on your energy bills each month as well! 

5. Trim Tree Branches

It can be easy to forget how heavy ice can make things such as tree limbs. Add heavy snow on top of that and you could be in for a problem. One of the things you should do to your yard this November is trim branches so that they’re all at least five feet away from your home. 

The last thing you want is roof damage in the winter due to a fall tree branch. Damage from a limb that fell due to the weight of ice can easily cost you thousands of dollars.

6. Plant Perennials

November is a great time to plant perennials to see beautiful blooms come springtime. You’ll want to take a look at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map to see which flowers will work best for your location. 

Because you’re planting these flowers for the following season, you could benefit from planting blooms that attract pollinators such as bees and birds. Pollinators can also take care of pesky garden insects.

7. Winterize Your Lawn

The last thing we suggest you do to your yard this November is winterize your lawn. This involves a few tasks to keep your yard healthy when spring rolls around. You’ll want to rake leaves regularly and aerate the soil at least once before the end of the month. 

It’s also smart to apply fertilizer to trees, shrubs, and your garden as these plants are dormant during the winter. Many homeowners opt for hiring a lawn care company, but the average person should be able to tackle these autumn chores themselves!