By Living Room Realty, July 23, 2021
Summer is here and now is a great time to take advantage of our cool mornings and sunny afternoons to give your house and yard a little extra love!
#1 Prune for shape!
This is a great time of year to do some tree pruning when you’re trying to control growth or keep fruit trees “orchard-pruned” (meaning you will actually be able to reach all the delicious fruit!) A general rule of thumb is prune in the summer to control the size and shape, prune in the winter to stimulate growth. *Always double-check city/county requirements for permits — especially if pruning street trees and definitely hire a licensed arborist when those branches are getting close to the power-lines!
#2 Give your house a little space!
While doing your summer pruning, think about where all the leaves will land later in fall — is it possible to safely prune trees away from the house? Clear shrubbery and vines that are growing right up next to the house/windows, especially if you have wood siding as this can break down the integrity of your paint job over time.
Check the perimeter of your foundation — does the soil grade away from the home? Is it cozying right up against the wood framing on basement windows? Do you have areas of wood siding, lattice or posts that are in direct contact with the soil? Pull soil back from any direct wood contact — this will protect the wooden elements of your home from rot and insects, especially when our rains return.
#3 Clear the roof and gutters!
Start now to get your home in great shape for fall! Have moss cleaned from the roof and make sure the gutters are clear. Also this is a great time to check your downspouts. If they are disconnected, make sure there are water diverter to send it *ideally* 10ft away from the foundation. Just don’t divert into your neighbor’s yard! This will prevent settling, preserve the integrity of your foundation, and prevent moisture issues like rot and mold.
#4 Touch up paint
If you happen to live in a home that does NOT have wood siding, remember that the window and door frames often have wood trim that can easily get overlooked. This is a great time for touch up for all of us in homes of cedar siding, hardi-plank, aluminum, vinyl, etc. Aim for paint touch ups on a cool morning!
#5 Plant Fall Veggies!
We have such great growing seasons here in the Pacific Northwest, and now is a great time to think about Fall for the veggie garden too! Roots like carrots, beets, turnips can be directly sown and cooler veggies like spinach, chard, kale, cabbage and peas can get started now too. Just don’t forget to water, as those plant babies are extra vulnerable to our hot days. Shade cloth can be a great tool on the hottest of days, especially in the afternoon.
Send me a message if you have any questions or need a recommendation for arborists, handy-people, gardeners or roof/gutter cleaners — I’ve got lots of resources to share!
Happy summering and loving on the HOME!
