Preparing Your Yard for Fall

The weather may not have changed yet, but with school buses driving down the road and football games on Friday nights we all know fall is here. As we say goodbye to long summer days in the sun and welcome back the crisp fall air and changing leaves, it’s time to prepare your backyard for fall.

Your fire pit likely got some use over the summer, and it’s sure to get more use this autumn. Clean up your fire pit area and make sure you have plenty of logs ready for use. You might also want to add a few blankets in a convenient location. On cooler nights some of your guests might want an extra layer while sitting by the fire.

Another option to stay warm while outside in the crisp air is to get a nice heat lamp. They can extend the life of your deck by months, and even let you head outside if there’s an unseasonably warm winter day. The traditional towers are becoming more comment, and they look nice, but there are so many more options to bring a unique heating element to your deck.

If you don’t have much floor space there are several options for overhead or wall mounted heatlamps. Buy a couple and spread them throughout your space to make sure everyone stays warm. If you do have some room but want something a little smaller and more stylish, some heat lamps look just like indoor floor lamps. Other lamps still have the traditional heat lamp look, but are pulling double duty – the base acts as a nice table, which is the prefect place to put your drink or food while keeping close to the warmth.

While preparing for fall you don’t want to neglect your landscaping. Add fall flowers like mums or dark colored pansies to your yard to make the color reflect the season. They’re easy to plant in the ground or festive planters. A colorful wreath for the front door helps complete the autumn transition.

This transitional time is also perfect for a Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall party. Invite your friends over to celebrate the last of the hazy days with water balloon fights and a cookout, accompanied by apple cider and s’mores around the fire pit.