September Home & Yard Checklist

What to Do Before Fall Arrives

There is something about September in Colorado that makes us want to get our homes in order.

The evenings get cooler, the first hints of fall color start appearing, and suddenly we're thinking about cozying up the house for winter while still enjoying every last bit of the outdoor season.

September is also a great time to tackle a few home and yard projects before temperatures drop and the first freeze arrives. A little preparation now can make your yard healthier, your home more comfortable, and your spring self very grateful.

Here is our September Colorado home and yard checklist.

1. Give Your Lawn Some Fall Attention

September can be an important time for lawn care in Colorado. Cooler temperatures and, depending on the year, more manageable moisture can give cool-season grasses a good opportunity to recover from summer stress.

If your lawn needs a little help, consider fertilizing it according to the needs of your particular grass and soil. Fall feeding can help support healthy roots going into winter.

This is also a good time to take a look at bare or thin areas and determine whether they need attention before winter.

2. Plant Trees and Shrubs

Fall can be a wonderful time to plant trees and shrubs in Colorado.

The soil can remain relatively warm while air temperatures begin to cool, giving new plants time to establish their roots before the ground freezes. Just remember that newly planted trees and shrubs still need appropriate watering as they get established.

If you've been putting off that landscaping project all summer, September is your gentle reminder that planting season isn't necessarily over.

3. Divide Your Perennials

Have your perennial beds gotten a little crowded?

September can be a good time to divide many established perennials, depending on the plant. Dividing plants can help rejuvenate crowded beds and give you new plants to spread around your yard or share with a neighbor.

Just be sure to check the specific timing for the plants you're dividing, since not every perennial follows exactly the same schedule.

4. Add Some Fall Color

We love a good seasonal refresh, and you don't need to completely redesign your landscaping to make your yard feel ready for fall.

Mums and pansies are easy ways to add seasonal color to containers, porches, entryways, and garden beds.

A few pots near the front door can make a surprisingly big difference. It's basically the landscaping equivalent of changing your throw pillows for the season.

5. Check Your Irrigation System

Before you put the garden hoses away for the year, give your irrigation system a once-over.

Look for broken or clogged sprinkler heads, areas that aren't getting enough water, and leaks or other obvious problems. Taking care of small issues now is much easier than discovering them when you are trying to get everything running again next spring.

And speaking of winter...

6. Schedule Your Sprinkler Blowout

This is one of those Colorado homeowner tasks that is easy to forget until it is suddenly too late.

Before freezing temperatures arrive, make sure your irrigation system is properly winterized. In many Colorado homes, that means scheduling a professional sprinkler blowout to remove water from the irrigation lines and help prevent freeze damage.

Don't wait until the first cold snap to make the appointment. Fall calendars fill up quickly.

7. Start Thinking About Spring Bulbs

Yes, we're already thinking about spring.

Fall is the time to plant many spring-flowering bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. Planning ahead now can mean a much happier garden when those first warm days arrive next year.

It's also a nice excuse to think about where you'd like a little more color in the landscape.

Your September Home + Yard Checklist

Save this one for your weekend project list:

In the Yard

☐ Fertilize the lawn as appropriate for your grass and soil

☐ Plant trees and shrubs

☐ Divide established perennials where appropriate

☐ Add mums and pansies for fall color

☐ Check irrigation and sprinkler heads

☐ Schedule your sprinkler blowout

☐ Start planning your spring bulbs

Before the First Freeze

☐ Schedule your sprinkler blowout

☐ Disconnect garden hoses

☐ Check exterior faucets

☐ Clean gutters

☐ Check the furnace and replace the filter

☐ Inspect the fireplace/chimney

☐ Check weather stripping around doors and windows

☐ Give the roof a quick visual inspection

☐ Prep/store patio furniture

☐ Find the snow shovel before you actually need it

A Little Work Now Makes Winter Easier

We don't think every September weekend needs to be spent doing home maintenance. Colorado fall is much too beautiful for that.

But setting aside a little time now to take care of your yard and prepare for colder weather can save you headaches later. And once the checklist is done, you can get back to the important things: watching the leaves change, enjoying dinner outside, and finding an appropriately cozy coffee for the season.

That's a pretty good September, if you ask us.

Thinking About Your Next Move?

Whether you're getting your current home ready to sell, wondering what projects are actually worth tackling before listing, or simply curious about what's happening in the Denver and Boulder real estate market, we're always happy to be a resource.

At the Art of Home Team, we believe your home is more than a transaction. It's where life happens, and we love helping our clients make thoughtful decisions about both the homes they're in and the homes they're headed toward.

If a move is somewhere on your horizon, give our team a call. We'd love to talk about what's next.