10 Things to Do in Your Early Fall Garden

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SOURCE: Houzz
Choose from these fall gardening tasks to suit your own end-of-the-growing-season style

Fall is a time when the garden to-do list becomes shorter and you have time to enjoy the growing season’s final days. For some, that might mean adding final touches to their yard’s fall show or starting to think about next year’s plans. For others, it’s about slowing down and taking the time to appreciate how the garden has grown and changed during the year. Whatever your approach, here are some suggestions for things to do, both large and small, right now.

1. Add Seasonal Color

Update containers with favorite plants that reflect the season. Replace fading annuals with cool-season varieties such as pansies, violas, impatiens and flowering cabbage and kale.

For a longer-lasting design, choose fall-blooming perennials such as chrysanthemums and asters. Tuck in some grasses and maybe a few pumpkins to complete the look, as Holmes Fine Gardens did on this Connecticut stoop.

Cool-season annuals that work well in containers also can fill in bare spots in your landscape, especially along garden edges.

Perennials such as mums and asters are always a sure choice. Also consider ‘Autumn Joy’ stonecrop blanketflower and goldenrod for color now and in the future.

2. Keep the Harvest Going

It may be past peak season, but that doesn’t mean you need to put your vegetable garden to bed just yet. Continue harvesting the last of your vegetables and herbs.

Pick fruit from apple, pear and persimmon trees. Or take a field trip to an orchard where you can fill baskets with your favorites.

There’s still time in early fall to plant vegetables that are quick to mature, such as beets, carrots and radishes, even if winter is fast approaching.

In mild-winter climates, a cool-season vegetable garden filled with lettuce, spinach, cabbage, kale and other cold-loving crops can continue producing well into the winter.

3. Plant for the Future

Early to mid fall is the ideal time for planting perennials, shrubs, trees, grasses and ground covers, especially native species. The cooler temperatures and milder light mean they’ll have time to become established before winter. Come next year, they’ll have a head start for maximal growth.

Planting times vary by region. You’ll want to plant at least six weeks before the first frost date. In cold-winter areas, that may be as early as September and certainly by mid-November. In warm-winter regions, you’ll have more time. In areas with a desert climate, fall is always planting time. Your plants will thrive and grow when temperatures are lower.

Autumn is also the optimum time for planting spring and summer wildflowers. You can turn a conventional lawn into a stunning wildflower landscape, like this front yard in Austin, Texas, designed by Native Edge Landscape. Or add the seeds to another garden bed.

4. Design Your Bulb Display

Most bulbs bloom in spring or summer, but fall is the time to get them started. Daffodils, tulips and irises are always reliable performers. Other favorites include crocuses and hyacinths. You can always consider some lesser-known varieties, such as fritillaria or ornamental allium.

Local nurseries, garden centers and even markets will have a wide range of choices. If you’re looking for something special, check out catalogs and online sources, which can provide even more options. Fall is also the time to divide the bulbs already in your garden to prevent overcrowding.

Warm-winter climates. Many bulbs, including favorites such as daffodils and tulips, require the winter chill to bloom. If you live in a warmer area, you’ll need to buy your bulbs early in the season and chill them in your refrigerator for six weeks before planting.

While some bulbs that need a colder winter may rebloom when planted in the garden, many will produce only leaves in subsequent years. To get a good show, consider treating bulbs like annuals.

Cold-winter climates. Winter chill isn’t an issue for cold-hardy bulbs, but freeze-and-thaw cycles can damage them. If the ground won’t be covered in snow or frozen, provide a layer of mulch.

You may also need to dig up tender bulbs such as canna lilies, dahlias and gladioluses, and overwinter them in a cool, dry location.

5. Fine-Tune Your Watering

Unless you have abundant fall rainfall, you may still need to provide irrigation to both new and established plantings. The good news is that the season’s cooler temperatures will allow you to adjust your watering schedule to fewer days and shorter periods of time. You’ll still need to keep an eye on container plants, especially those on patios, decks and porches.

6. Capture Stormwater

Get a jump on spring and summer watering needs by setting up systems to capture rainwater, such as rain barrels. Adding stormwater management features to your landscape also will minimize runoff that could overwhelm storm drains and sewer systems.

Consider turning areas that are often soggy during the wet season into rain gardens. These planted shallow depressions absorb and clean water as it percolates underground or into drainage channels.

Tip: Before you purchase or install a rain barrel, be sure to check local laws. Certain states have issued rainwater-harvesting restrictions.

7. Tackle Leaves and the Lawn

Put fallen leaves on your lawn to good use this fall. With the help of a lawn mower, you can turn them into nutrient-rich mulch for your lawn and garden. You also can add them to your compost pile and let them decompose over the winter.

If your lawn is looking a bit bedraggled, consider dethatching. If the buildup of dead grasses isn’t too deep, raking vigorously may be enough. If not, look into investing in a dethatching rake or renting a power rake.

If things are still looking thin, overseed the bare spots and continue to water until winter rains arrive or snow and frost blanket the ground.

8. Tidy Up, Just a Bit

Combine work and pleasure by taking a bucket and a pair of pruners with you as you wander through the garden. Cut back any perennials that are fading, removed diseased limbs and plants, and pull out past-their-prime annuals and vegetables.

Don’t be too zealous in your cleanup. Keeping your garden slightly loose and maybe even a bit overgrown will provide some winter interest, whether you’re out in the space or viewing it from inside. It also will provide shelter and food for local wildlife.

9. Update Your Amenities

Take an inventory of your furniture, cushions and decor and decide what needs replacing. Then shop the after-season sales for pieces you can enjoy now or set aside for spring.

10. Savor the Season

Make the most of fall weather by continuing to enjoy your time outside. Plan gatherings in the yard, spend chilly evenings around the fire pit or bring out a cozy blanket with a cup of tea or coffee on crisp mornings.

SOURCE: Houzz

September 27, 2023 Weekly Market Watch with Chris Doucet

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September 20, 2023 Weekly Market Watch with Chris Doucet

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September 20, 2023 Weekly Market Watch with Chris Doucet marketingcenter--

How to Manage Your ADU as a Rental Unit

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SOURCE: Freddie Mac
Building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can be a worthwhile investment for homeowners looking to increase their property value and generate rental income, while contributing to the supply of affordable housing. Here’s what you need to know about building, managing and maintaining an ADU as a rental property.

Characteristics and Benefits of ADUs

An ADU is an additional residential unit located on the property of a single-family home. These living spaces can be attached to the primary residence or completely detached and can be used for various purposes like housing family members and guests, or renting out to tenants.

ADUs have become more popular in recent years, particularly in areas with limited housing supply and high demand for affordable units. ADUs offer a promising return on investment for property owners looking to earn passive income and can help alleviate the housing shortage.

Before you Build

If you’re considering adding an ADU to your home, you’ll need to do some upfront research on the applicable building codes, regulations and zoning laws. Ordinances and policies vary by location and can change frequently as ADUs become more popular. You may consider consulting an attorney to make sure you understand any federal, state or local laws involved if you plan to rent out your ADU.

You should also think about how you plan to pay for any construction or renovation projects needed for your ADU. Create a construction budget and explore financing options. You may consider refinancing your current mortgage loan to help cover upfront costs for your ADU project.

Renting and Managing Your ADU

Once your ADU project is complete, it’s time to start thinking like a landlord. Before your ADU is move-in ready, you’ll need to:

  1. Set a competitive rental rate: Factors such as location, amenities and the length of the lease will all play a part in determining how much you should charge for rent. Do your research to understand local demand, rental trends and market rates for similar listings in the area.

  2. Draft a comprehensive lease agreement: Set clearly defined expectations for yourself and your future tenants, including details such as rent amount, payment due dates, late fees, security deposit amount and occupancy rules. If you’re a first-time landlord, you might begin by reviewing sample lease agreements online, but keep in mind you’ll want to customize the lease to your specific property. Ask yourself:

    • Which utilities will tenants be responsible for?

    • Where will tenants park?

    • Are pets allowed?

    • How will maintenance requests be handled?

    • Which spaces on the property, if any, will be shared?

  3. Screen prospective tenants: Before inviting a tenant to live on your property, you’ll want to conduct a thorough screening process while keeping in mind relevant laws and guidelines to avoid discriminatory practices and ensure a fair and equal housing opportunity. This process may include background checks, reviewing recent pay stubs, checking references and analyzing credit reports. You may consider exploring local programs or property management services that may be able to assist you with tenant placement.

Whether you’re looking for a way to increase your property value or provide affordable housing, adding an ADU can be a rewarding investment. While navigating zoning laws, renovation budgets and landlord responsibilities may seem a bit daunting at first, there are many resources available to guide you through the process if you decide to build and rent out an ADU.

SOURCE: Freddie Mac

CURATED • SEPTEMBER 2023 HOMES ACROSS THE STATES WITH CHRIS DOUCET

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CURATED • SEPTEMBER 2023 HOMES ACROSS THE STATES WITH CHRIS DOUCET marketingcenter--