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10. Prep Your Pipes
In cold-winter regions, shut off any exterior water systems before cold weather hits. Then open the tap and drain the lines to prevent damage. Finally, disconnect any hoses. Do the same for any water lines leading to an outdoor kitchen.
At the same time, drain and clean any outdoor water features, such as fountains and ponds.
In warmer regions, check that your irrigation system is still working correctly. Repair or replace any sprinkler heads or drip system components as needed. Cut back on watering frequency as the weather cools. If rainfall is sufficient, turn the system off.
Even if you live in a warmer area, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on winter forecasts. Insulate exterior pipes and taps if a freeze is predicted, especially one that will last several days. Another option is to open the taps slightly to allow water to slowly drip out.
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2. Kids Corner
The “before” photo of this Seattle under-deck area shows how it was a hodgepodge of clutter. The homeowners wanted to create plenty of room where their young children could play, as well as space for dining and lounging.
Landscape designer Rebekah Rongo of SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture answered the call, and a sheltered area that wraps around a corner is part of the result. It’s designed for the kids, with a picnic table on one side, two bright red chairs on the other and a wraparound concrete step connecting the two. Tight-knot western red cedar walls warm up the space, create continuity in the yard’s design and conceal an easy-to-access storage area.
Note the light-colored under-decking too, to ensure that the spaces below stay dry on Seattle’s frequent drizzly days. Any water can drain through the permeable patio paver joints. After this photo was taken, the homeowners added a projection screen under the deck for movie nights.
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7. Celebrate Leaves
Take in the fall foliage on a hiking trail, at a local park or in your yard. Turn raking leaves from a chore into a chance to appreciate Mother Nature’s show. Once you have a pile of leaves, it might just be time to channel your inner child and jump in.
Rather than immediately bagging your leaves, consider using some or all of them as a natural mulch. You can spread a thin layer over your garden beds or lawn, allowing the leaves to decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Don’t make the layer too thick, especially over a lawn, as you don’t want to kill whatever might be growing underneath. Use a lawnmower or garden shredder to turn the leaves into smaller pieces.
5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
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No one has to shiver for long while hastening into the house after soaking in this backyard hot tub in Los Angeles, thanks to its proximity to a doorway. The homeowner got rid of an unused swimming pool so landscape designer Catherine Bosler of Bosler Earth Design could install the hot tub and deck seen here, plus a covered lounge area and plenty of drought-tolerant plantings interwoven with pathways.
Being that the homeowner is British, Bosler looked to the English countryside for inspiration, infusing the space with softness, texture and color. Climbing jasmine grows on the cable railing panel between the deck and hot tub, adding greenery and an enticing fragrance to the space.
Extra-nice touch: The hot tub has built-in shelving along the side for towels and other necessities.
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