Crisp autumn breezes are bringing the smells of apples, maple syrup and stacks of harvested hay. Aren't seasons wonderful!?

As your backyard starts collecting the falling leaves, now may be the time to buy a shredder for mulching those little critters into fine particles for plant protection.

Raking leaves can be fun for kids, but dried up leaves are also the prize for your bushes.  Here's a shredder I recommend: Flowtron Leaf Shredder Plus. It's lightweight (only 17lbs) and portable, holding one bushel of volume.

Actually, we're in a serious drought here in North Georgia, and people have been warned to mulch their trees heavily to keep what little moisture there is around the root intact. Failure to do so may result in the thirsty trees dying off for lack of water. There's a ban on outdoor watering and doing so could result in having a person's household water account shut off.

And, if you haven't already done so, you need to store your summer items in storage bags or sheds for protection against the elements. I've been guilty of negligence in the past and my outdoor patio cushions became green with mildew. Not pretty when I wanted to use them the following spring; and when I was forced to clean them,  with some patio furniture cleaner, I was not a happy camper. The stuff worked, but then, so did I!!

There are two great products which are both inexpensive and will keep your smaller items, in particular, free from winter exposure. Roughneck Modular Large Vertical Outdoor Storage Shed is an upright sturdy shed. For the deck or porch, consider this deck box. It's extra large for your chair cushions.

One year I left the rope hammock in the woods through the winter and the next year, to my surprise, the cotton rope had rotted. Don't let that happen to you!

I've also been guilty, in the past, of leaving an open umbrella on my back deck only to have the north winds topple it over and break one of the braces. Negligence can be a very expensive lesson.

Now then, keep in mind, the holidays are coming fast. Yard products, instruments, and tools make GREAT GIFTS! Choose some now before the rush.

Yardiac.com the Holiday Garden Gift Store:
OR try Unbeatable Sales for Everyone on your list:
OR just trim your outdoor Holiday trees from this nifty place:

 

Sit down and define the purpose of your backyard. One thing at a time. Consistency is the key to any success. So . . .define your purpose and then go for it . . . . Whatever your budget and time allows!