Flowers Deer Do Not Eat

Summer is fading into fall and winter is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to take care of your property needs before the cold weather ahead comes home to roost. It is also the right time to insure that your spring is not hampered by unnecessary problems and unneeded expense. Getting ready for winter is not a difficult nor time consuming process, but far too many owners leave it until it's too late. Right now, while the weather is pleasant is the time to get your ducks in a row. Below is a list of "should-dos" that will minimize your spring headaches (and expenses) and help insure a beautiful yard next year. It will also let you sleep just that much better this winter. Here's 8 great ways for you to rest easy while the winter weather wreaks havoc on your neighbor's yard.

1. Turn off irrigation/sprinkler systems and dry them out by blowing the water out with a compressor or draining from locations and valves installed for that purpose. This will keep the frozen or cracked pipes from flooding your yard, destroying your landscape, eroding your planting and, heaven forbid, flooding your property in the spring time.

2. Remove/trim dead tree and bush limbs. Be sure to get the dead limbs cut away cleanly now. Don't let snow or further weakness cause the branches to break off by themselves. The damage to your trees will be far worse and your ability to trim them to maintain utility and beauty will be greatly reduced.

3. Cut back perennials. Trim back your annual flowering bushes to keep them from winter kill, unnecessary loss of soil nutrients and to keep them at an attractive and functional size. It only takes one or two years before what should be a beautiful piece of your landscape to become overgrown and out of control.

4. Plant new shrubs. Now is a great time to get next year's spring shrubs in the ground. They still have the time to stabilize and will be ready for spring growth without having the stress of overwintering in a nursery bucket with a cramped root ball. The growth will be better and the resulting addition more attractive, more vibrant and will green up more quickly next year.

5. Mow and aerate the lawn one last time. Be sure to get the last cutting done on your lawns early enough that they will be a little longer than usual when the snow flies. In addition, have the lawns aerated to allow for winter moisture and air to seep deep into the soil. Give the last bit of warmth the change to enliven the deeper soil and roots. They will appreciate your efforts and reward you with a lush beautiful lawn early in the year that should green up while the lesser cared for lawns are struggling coming out of dormancy.

6. Feed the grass. Give your lawn a nice fall/early winter feeding. The winter will drive the fertilizer deep into the soil and the roots will follow it down, thus insuring a strong and stable base for future growth and utility.

7. Mulch young plants. Sure it takes a little work, but a nice layer of mulch will help keep the weeds out, the water and warmth in and prove to be a plant's best friend as it prevents cold weather shock and early dry-out. The mulch will of course beautify your landscape but is maintain its health and vitality over the harsh winter ahead.

8. Clean up the yard, collect leaves, remove dying weeds, etc. This last bit of advice will prevent the spring-time mess and extra work associated with the affects of leaving weeds, dead plants, leaves etc. over the winter. Spring clean up will be minimal and far less extensive if this final fall follow through is complete.

By taking the time now to treat your landscape well, your efforts will prove themselves through a magnificent yard in the spring time. You can expect controlled growth of plants, healthy lawns and beautiful flowerbeds- and you can expect them earlier than your neighbors. As long as you don't mind having the nicest place in the neighborhood, then go ahead and invest a little time and money now. It will be well spent, and the returns exponential.

Roger Beattie is a real estate broker, investor, owner and operator. He is also the founder of Middle Class Millionaires, an association of investors helping each other succeed in real estate investment. Middle Class Millionaires has an excellent blog with investing articles and industry news. See Roger's

He also recently co-authored a report instructing how to lower the risk in many real estate investments.