Lawn & Landscaping

Remove leaves that are mounded or matted against the house, around downspouts and drainage areas, or if they are suffocating perennials and shrubs. Don't allow fallen leaves to mat down on lawns, where they can kill young grass.

Overseeding (spreading seed on a mature lawn) should ideally be done in September, but you can still do it in October. This works best if you dethatch and then verticut or aerate first. Keep watered if rainfall is inadequate.

Apply winter fertilizer or weed-and-feed. If you have started new seed, apply a lawn-starting preparation, not a full-strength fertilizer, which is too strong.

Apply soil amendments such as lime and gypsum and liquid products that seep into clay and compacted soil and help break it over the winter.

When overseeding, applying soil amendments or fall fertilizer, mow first to remove fallen leaves, twigs, acorns and other debris that would prevent the chemicals, granules or seeds from reaching the soil.

If grass is still growing, mow it at the highest setting.

Do a lawn-mower cleanup. Wipe off the exterior. Hose down the bag and remove all other debris before winter storage. Empty the tank of gas if it's more than half full. Store away from ignition sources, such as hot water heaters and furnaces.