With summer just around the corner, there is plenty of incentive to get those outdoor spaces ready to enjoy. From scheduling house painting to organizing your outdoor cooking tools, tick these items off your to-do list so you can: hang out around the bbq, kick back on the porch and savour the season.

Check Off Your List In An Hour or Less

Check Outdoor Lighting

Make sure all outdoor lights are in working order, including porch lights, landscape lighting and motion-sensing security lights. Replace bulbs or schedule repairs as needed.

Give Potted Plants TLC

If you have potted plants that stay indoors over winter, bring them out once the danger of frost has passed. To help your plants acclimatize, find a protected spot out of direct sun for the first several weeks outdoors.

Inspect Kitchen and Bath Fixtures

Keeping an eye on these areas can help prevent costly water damage and repairs later on. Make a plan to regrout or recaulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well.

Check Safety Devices

Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years — even if they still appear to be in working order. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

Get Ready For BBQing

Giving your BBQ a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grilling tools and pick up charcoal or propane if needed.

If you have a gas grill, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes.

Maintain and Repair Garden Paths

Create neat edges, pull weeds, fill in gravel paths with fresh gravel and replace or reposition broken steppingstones.

Clean Walls and Touch Up Paint

Use a dusting attachment on your vacuum or an electrostatic duster to remove dust from walls, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. For a deeper clean, wipe down walls with warm, soapy water after dusting. Rinse with clean water, using a lint-free cloth. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.

Clean Items On Open Shelves

Infrequently used items stored on open shelves can get pretty grimy over time. For items with a thin layer of dust, swipe with an electrostatic duster. If there is a thicker layer of dust, of if the items are in the kitchen, where cooking grease can be an issue, wash each piece in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.

Refresh Bedrooms

Rotate the mattresses on all beds and flip over if possible. Dust nightstands, lamps, headboards, blinds and decor. Swap heavy duvets for lighter-weight bedding for the warmer months.

Thoroughly Clean The Laundry Room

Run the washing machine with a specialty tub cleaner or with vinegar for a natural solution on a hot water cycle. Wipe the rubber rim inside the washer and dryer doors and remove lint from the dryer vent with a vent brush or vacuum attachment. Clean countertops, mop floors and restock supplies.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for

Plan to Paint or Stain Your Home’s Exterior

Longer days and generally milder weather makes May a good month to think about painting your house. Contact painting pros to find out if they are currently working or will resume later, and reserve a spot on their schedule. If your home has a wood-shingled exterior, replace any damaged shingles and have a fresh coat of stain applied if needed.

Add a Porch Feature

Make your porch an inviting place to relax and hang out with the addition of a porch swing, rocking chairs or a glider. Too much sun? Crisp white outdoor curtains can provide shade and look chic. Just add a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade, and you’ll be ready to savor the season in style.

Kick spring cleaning into high gear, with lengthening days and milder temperatures, April is a wonderful time to freshen up your home inside and out. 

Things to Check Off Your List In an Hour or Less

Keep Mosquitoes At Bay 

Having warmer weather and longer days means we’re entering mosquito season. Take preventative measures by regularly checking your property for standing water and emptying it. Any open containers empty flowerpots and saucers, a wheelbarrow can become mosquito breeding grounds when filled with rainwater, so store items like these upside down or in a shed.

Inspect Paths and Driveway 

Repeated freezing and thawing can take a toll on asphalt and concrete. Check your driveway and paths for cracks, scheduling repairs as needed.

Clean Out Trash Cans and Recycling Bins 

Take empty cans outside and spray them with a hose to start. Spritz inside and out with the cleaning spray of your choice. Let the bins sit for a few minutes before scrubbing them with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse with the hose and leave them upside down to dry.

Check Safety Devices 

Test batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing them as needed. It’s also a good idea to periodically check for recalls of your home safety products.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

Clear Clutter

Create more space in your home by clearing out unloved items. If you have a lot to get rid of, hold a yard sale or contact a local charity to schedule a pickup — some will send a truck free of charge if you’re donating large items like furniture. If you have a lot of one type of item (for example, books or baby clothes), look for a consignment shop in your town where you may be able to sell them.

Schedule Cooling-System Maintenance

If you have central air conditioning, be sure to schedule professional maintenance before the start of summer. A properly maintained system cools better, uses less energy and lasts longer.

Spruce Up The Front Porch

Clean the patio floor, exterior windows, windowsills and front door. Wipe cobwebs from the ceiling and high corners, plant a pot of flowers. If you have patio furniture, clean it off and wash the cushions.

Test Sprinklers and Irrigation System

Take the time this month to test each part of or sprinklers or irrigation system, adjusting or repairing as needed. And if you don’t already have drip irrigation for your garden, consider putting it in — a properly installed system can save time and water.

Wash Windows

Welcome the spring sunshine by clearing dirt from windows inside and out. Take an extra moment to wipe the window frame and sill.

Clean and Inspect Screen Doors and Windows 

Pollen and dirt can also build up on window screens, so it’s a good idea to clean them once a year. For a quick cleaning, leave screens in place and vacuum with a dusting attachment. For a deeper cleaning, remove screens (mark which is which if cleaning multiple windows) and gently scrub with warm, soapy water. Rinse and let dry.

Before putting up window screens and screen doors, inspect each one for holes and rips — even small tears can let in mosquitoes. If you find any holes, repair them with a screen patch kit.

Clean Out The Garage

Can you park your car in your garage? If not, it may be time to make some more space.

Clear out the junk, and schedule time to take unused paint, motor oil and other hazardous items to a recycling center that accepts them.  Once your garage is cleaned out, consider adding wall-mounted storage to keep things neat and off the floor.

Wash Siding

Using a garden hose, attach a siding cleaning kit to clear away winter dirt from your home’s siding. If your siding could use a really deep cleaning, it can be tempting to use a pressure washer to get the job done quickly. But if you do, use it with care: avoid any pressure washer that comes with a 0-degree nozzle, because it can be too dangerous and wider nozzles can get the job done just as well.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget For

Clean Gutters and Downspouts 

Having your home’s gutters and downspouts cleaned and repaired if necessary is one of the important tasks to schedule this season. Clogged gutters during a rainy spring can cause water to pool, potentially damaging the roof and siding.

Boost Curb Appeal

Spring is a great time to make upgrades to your home’s exterior, and even small changes — like putting up bold house numbers and a shiny new mailbox — can make a big impact.

Maintain Wood Decks and Fences

Keep outdoor wood in top shape by staining or resealing it each spring. Check gates, fencing, decks, railings, pergolas and other outdoor structures, and make repairs as needed.

Keep An Eye Out For Termites

Lookout for termites in May and June. If you notice any, call a pest-control company.

The first official day of spring is March 20, so now is the time to get ready for sunnier days. Whether there’s still snow on the ground or flowers in bloom, nicer weather is on its way. Bring in the new season with a bit of spring cleaning, some fresh flowers and — if you can get outdoors — a little dirt under your fingernails.

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

Make Mirrors And Table Lamps Shine 

Use a duster or soft rags to remove dust from table lamps and wipe down mirrors with a damp microfiber cloth. These freshened-up surfaces will enhance the light throughout your space.

Refresh The Entryway 

As the weather thaws, begin putting away mittens and wool hats and make room for those mucky spring boots. Clean or replace the doormat, clear off the hooks and be sure to put out an umbrella holder stocked for spring showers. A clean boot tray lined with river stones will help water drain away from your footwear.

Remove Winter Layers 

Feeling a bit stifled under a pile of thick duvets? Swap out heavy winter bedding for lighter-weight quilts and coverlets. Also consider changing deep-pile rugs for flat-weave or natural-fiber versions for the warmer months.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

Clean Up Patio Furniture 

Outdoor furniture can get really grimy over the winter, so be sure to give everything a good scrubbing before you start using it for the season. Launder washable outdoor cushion covers and replace worn-out pieces if needed.

Tune Up Lawn And Garden Tools 

Sharp tools get the job done. Take your lawn mower and clippers in for a sharpening and tuneup before you begin work in your garden.

Clean Slipcovers And Soft Furnishings 

Smaller slipcovers and washable rugs can be laundered at home; drop off larger pieces with professionals. When laundering items at home, be sure to read the instructions carefully and err on the side of caution. Most items such as curtains and slipcovers can be put back while damp — for the best fit and to prevent wrinkles.

Dust High Corners and Baseboards 

Using a vacuum attachment or the duster of your choice, remove dust and cobwebs from those high and low spots we often miss during routine cleaning.

Make A Garden Plan 

There’s still time to get your garden growing! Sketch out a plan and jot down ideas for this year’s plantings, as well as any ideas you have for changes to the hardscape, such as putting in a new path or fence. Start some seeds indoors or pick up seedlings at your local nursery. Check botanical gardens for plant sales too, as these can be great places to find native plants that do especially well in your region.

Get Ready For Tax Time 

Tax-filing deadline isn’t until April 30, but getting your ducks in a row this month will make things a lot less stressful. Sort through paperwork, update your files and gather all important documents in one place so you’re ready to go.

Simplify The Table 

Cupboards feeling overstuffed? Simplify your life by paring back on dishes and glassware, letting go of mismatched and chipped pieces and sets you no longer love or use often. Keep a basket of fresh cloth napkins within easy reach of the table to make it more convenient than grabbing paper napkins, and invest in a living centerpiece that will stay fresh and green with little maintenance.

Spring-Clean The Kitchen 

Give your kitchen a fresh start by cleaning some of the areas we often skip during quick daily tidying: Clean small appliances; wipe grease and grime from the range hood, backsplash and light fixtures; clean grout; and vacuum hard-to-reach places (like under the stove) using an attachment.

Streamline Meal Planning

Collect your favorite recipes in a binder (or online) and come up with several weeks’ worth of meal plans using your go-to favorites, plus shopping lists. When life gets busy, at least you’ll know what’s for dinner.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget For 

Treat Yourself To Spring Blooms

Spring flowers such as daffodils are plentiful and inexpensive this month, so keep an eye out for bargains. And if you have blooms popping up in the garden, why not snip a few to enjoy indoors?

Plant A Tree

Spring and fall are the best times to plant trees because wet weather and cooler temperatures make it easier for root systems to get established. Be sure to check with a nursery to determine which species will do best in your microclimate and to get detailed planting instructions. If your area has a late date of last frost, you may need to wait until all threat has passed before planting.

Inspect Your Home For Winter Damage and Repair As Needed

Once winter storms have passed, carefully inspect the exterior of your home.

February is a time of year for at home comforts like cooking big-batch meals, reading in the afternoon and watching movies with the family. Here are some ideas to add to your to-do list this month, from the necessary to the just-for-fun. 

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

Rotate Your Mattress

Before you put on a fresh set of sheets, take an extra minute to rotate the mattress if you haven’t done so recently. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life and comfort.

Pack Up Old Sheets and Towels To Donate

If you bought new sheets or towels during January white sales, make some room by letting go of an old set or two. Homeless shelters and some churches will accept donations of bedding and towels in good condition, and animal shelters are often in need of towels. Really worn linens can be cut up and used as rags or dropped in a textile recycling bin.

Clean Entryway Floors

If winters are cold where you are, road salt and melting snow can mean entryway floors take a beating. Pick up clutter and give the floors a good mopping.

To keep floors looking their best between cleanings, stash a few old towels in a basket near the door to wipe up messes.

Keep Sidewalks and Entryways Free of Ice and Snow  

Ice and snow can make walkways dangerous for visitors. Aim to shovel snow promptly, and sprinkle gravel, straw or wood chips to provide traction. Frequent light shoveling is better than letting the snow build up. And if you plan to be away during an expected winter storm, hire someone to clear the sidewalk and front steps of your home while you’re gone. Your neighbors and mail carrier will thank you.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

Cook to Stock Up Your Freezer

A few hours of cooking on a weekend can produce major dividends if you focus your efforts on big-batch suppers that can be frozen and reheated later.

Knowing that you have homemade soup, stew, chili or casseroles in the freezer makes facing weeknight dinners much less stressful. Just add crusty bread and a simple salad and dinner will be ready in no time.

Organize Bookshelves

Pull out volumes that you didn’t enjoy or are finished with and sell or donate them, leaving a bit of extra room on each shelf for new titles. And if you get distracted by beloved old books you had forgotten about, just roll with it. After all, there are few better places to spend a winter afternoon than in a comfortable chair with a good book.

Refresh Your Movie-Watching Zone

Winter is a good time to catch up on movies you missed in the theater or to binge-watch your favorite shows. So why not make your movie-watching zone as comfy and cozy as possible? Start by vacuuming the floors and upholstery (using a vacuum attachment) and clearing away clutter. Next, assess your collection of movies and games, donating extras to charity. Finally, make sure there are plenty of comfortable pillows and blankets and lighting that can be dimmed.

Boost Warmth

Stay toasty and save on energy bills by blocking drafty doors with door sweeps or door snakes and warming up with rugs, throws and duvets. For even more energy savings, shut doors to unused rooms, move furniture away from heating vents and close the chimney flue when it’s not in use.

Check Bathrooms for Moisture, Mildew and Mold

It can be hard to give bathrooms enough ventilation when the house is closed up tight for winter.

Unfortunately, that buildup of moisture can lead to mildew or even harmful mold. Give the bathroom a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to grout, the ceiling and any other areas showing signs of excess moisture.

Clean The Dryer Vent 

Having the buildup of lint cleaned from your dryer vent at least once a year is essential to keeping your dryer working efficiently and preventing a potential dryer fire. In winter, snow can block the exterior vent, so take a walk outside your home to inspect the vent and remove snow or debris if needed.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget For

Start Planning For A Spring or Summer Home Sale

If you’re considering putting your home on the market this year, it’s a good idea to start the process now. Set a timetable, interview potential real estate agents and make a list of projects that need to get done to help your home show well.

Indulge in Weekly Fresh Flowers

With Valentine’s Day happening this month, the markets will be filled with fresh flowers at good prices. Treat your home to a bouquet of flowers once a week to add a little cheer — spring may still be a ways off, but that doesn’t mean your dining table can’t look like a garden in bloom!

Get a jump on preparing your house for the holidays so you can relax and enjoy the season’s simple pleasures.

With Christmas approaching and the winter holidays around the corner, there are things to look forward to and prepare for this time of year — even with the adjustments we are having to make because of the pandemic. Batten down the hatches for winter and get a jump on holiday prep, so you can relax and savor the pleasures of the season, like family dinners and walks in the crisp outdoors.

Things to Check Off In An Hour Or Less

Replace Floor Protectors On Chairs 

Don’t let dining chairs do damage to your hardwood floors: Check their feet and add or replace floor-protecting pads if needed. Felt pads come in self-adhesive and nail-in varieties; if you’re using the self-adhesive type, be sure to clean the base of each chair foot thoroughly and allow it to dry before applying.

Examine The Sump Pump 

If you have a sump pump in your basement as protection in case of flooding, make sure it is working properly before the rainy season really gets going, and then repair or replace it if needed.

Check Paths, Stairs and Railings For Safety 

Slips and falls on ice and snow can happen anywhere, but they’re even more likely if the footing is uneven or a railing isn’t sturdy. Take a walk around your home’s exterior, paying special attention to walkways, stairs and railings, and make repairs as needed.

Show Some Kindness To Feathered Friends

Non-migrating birds can use extra help when wild food becomes scarce and water sources freeze. Stock up now on birdseed so you can keep those feeders full, and consider providing a water source as well — refresh it daily to prevent mosquitoes.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

Get A Jump On Holiday Prep

If you plan to have a special holiday, take a bit of time now to prepare a few things in advance. Launder and iron the fancy linens (roll up freshly ironed linens on old wrapping paper tubes to prevent wrinkles), drop off the kitchen knives for a professional sharpening or polish some silver — you’ll thank yourself later.

Deep-Clean Bathrooms 

Aim to schedule a deep cleaning of the bathrooms so a quick surface wipe-down will be all you’ll need to get things looking spotless again during the holidays.

Check Bathtub Caulk And Repair If Needed

While cleaning the bathroom, notice the condition of the caulk around the tub. Cracked or worn out caulk can allow water to seep into your home’s framing. If you spot a problem area, get it replaced as soon as possible.

Inspect House Exterior And Cover Gaps 

Cover any gaps you find around the exterior of your home that may be large enough for a mouse to enter — it doesn’t take much space for these little critters to sneak in. Cover exterior vents with hardware cloth, and attach door sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors to stop furry creatures from squeezing in when the weather turns chilly.

Remove The Last Of The Fall Leaves 

Aim to fit in one final raking and gutter-cleaning session once the last leaves have fallen — but before the first snow.

Maintenance and Extras To Budget For

Fix Plumbing Issues Before The Holiday Crunch 

Have a slow drain, stuck garbage disposal or finicky toilet? Don’t wait until the busy holiday season, when it may be harder to find a plumber who’s available. Fix it now.

Force Bulbs Indoors 

Potted bulbs make a lovely, thoughtful gift, and if you’re potting them for yourself, it’s easy enough to make a bunch to give away throughout the holiday season.

Stock Up For Winter 

If you live in a region with cold, snowy winters, taking the time now to stock up on winter gear and supplies will mean less stress when that first big storm hits.

◦  Check snow shovels and ice scrapers; replace as needed.

◦  If you use a fireplace or wood stove, order firewood.

◦  Pick up a bag of pet- and plant-safe ice melt.

◦  Restock emergency kits for car and home.

◦  If you use a snow blower, have it serviced and purchase fuel.

◦  If your home has an emergency power generator, review safety standards and check that it’s working properly.