PAY ATTENTION TO SAFETY WHEN DOING FALL YARDWORK

When you buy a house, you are also buying a yard — a place to do your “backyarding,” which is taking indoor living outside into your own personal piece of nature. Fall is a critical time for your family yard since what you do in your yard this fall will set the stage for your activities for the rest of the year.

Kris Kiser

President and CEO Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

1605 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314 turfmutt.com

(703)549-7600

Work done in yards now will determine the quality of that family football game after Thanksgiving dinner, the video conference call backdrop in your outdoor office or next spring's blooms. Work your landscape and your landscape will work for you. Follow these fall yard care tips for the yard of your dreams:

Remove leaves. Mulching leaves with a mower is good for your lawn and the environment. As shredded leaves decompose, they feed your lawn naturally.

Mow at the right height. Cut grass until the first hard frost. Find the just-right length for your species (typically between two to three inches) to keep your grass healthy when it turns cold. Overseed grass, and don’t forget to aerate the lawn to prevent soil from becoming compacted.

Water wisely. If you’re not getting at least an inch of water each week, keep watering throughout the fall. Install watering solutions, such as smart controllers on irrigation systems, to conserve water and ensure you do not over-water the grass.

Right plant, right place. Plant bulbs and flowering shrubs that will bloom in spring and summer to feed pollinators, as well as provide beauty for natural, video conference backdrops. When selecting the plants for your yard, consider your climate zone and your family’s lifestyle.

Plant a tree for shade or cover. Trees are always a good investment in your outdoor space. According to research published by the "Southern Journal of Applied Forestry," each front yard tree adds 1% to a homeowner’s sale price, while large specimen trees can add 10% to property values.

Prune trees and shrubs. Research the best time to prune your specific trees and shrubs.

Set up an outdoor office. Fall is the ideal time to take your office outside into your own backyard. Consider putting in decking or a hardscape to create an area to set up a desk or table. Make sure adequate electricity is available to power your devices.

Keep safety in mind. When operating outdoor power equipment this fall and beyond, keep these important safety tips in mind:

1. Read your owner’s manual and follow all manufacturer’s guidelines.

2. Do not disable or alter manufacturer-installed safety features.

3. Always keep children and pets away from machines during operation.

For safety tips, visit www.opei.org. For information on backyarding, sign up for Mutt Mail, an e-newsletter from the TurfMutt Foundation.