Fall's sneaking up on Fairfield, here's your checklist
First day of school is in the books for our kids, and if you're anything like us, you're already thinking about everything that needs to get done around the house before the weather turns. Here are three things worth tackling this week.
Last call for fall lawn seeding
Photo by Red Nguyen
If you've been putting off reseeding bare or thin patches, this is the week to stop waiting. Connecticut's overseeding window runs mid-August through mid-September, cool nights plus still-warm soil give grass seed its best shot at rooting before winter. Wait until October and you're fighting the clock: seed needs 4-6 weeks of decent growing weather before the first hard frost. If you're doing it yourself, aim for seed-to-soil contact (rake bare spots first) and water lightly but daily for the first two weeks.
For grass seed, the Home Depot on Kings Highway Cut-off in Fairfield keeps a solid stock of overseeding mixes and fertilizer this time of year, and their staff can help you pick the right blend for sun versus shade patches. If you'd rather support a local, family-owned option, Ganim's Garden Center on Congress Street is another great choice, they carry premium seed blends and can offer more personalized advice on what works for your specific yard.
Book your furnace tune-up now, before the rush
September and October are what HVAC companies call "shoulder season," the calm before the pre-winter scramble. Booking now usually means your pick of appointment times and no emergency-service upcharge. A tune-up typically catches small issues (a dirty filter, a worn belt, a cracked heat exchanger) while they're still cheap fixes, not 2am no-heat calls in January. Most CT homeowners wait until the first cold snap, which is exactly why waiting costs you both time and money.
Clean your gutters before the leaves really start dropping
Photo by Farman Kareem
Late August into September is what pros call the "setup window," the lull before October and November's heavy leaf drop. One clean-out now means less risk of overflow and ice damming once the real drop hits, and it's a lot easier to do in short sleeves than in gloves and a coat. If you've got a lot of mature trees on your property, plan on a second clean in November too.
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That's it for this week, thanks for reading. Hit reply and let us know how the first week back to school is going, or forward this along to a neighbor who could use the checklist.
See you next week.
