The Last Big Job For The Fall! Organizing The Garden, Patio and Deck!

We are fortunate here in South Carolina that we don't have to batten down the hatches when the seasons change, (except for hurricanes, that is!) but we do need some moderate cleaning up of our outside living spaces.  For example, our grill was rarely covered during the summer months, now it's time to hose that baby down and cover our BBQ, we will still use it but not as often. Check the condition of your BBQ utensils, are they a little worn? Hint, hint for your Christmas List!


Pool floats and toys need to be put away, and summer accessories stored away to make room for table top fire bowls and seasonal candles.  In fact, anything exposed to the elements should be stored in the dry space, such as the garage or a shed.  This will reduce the amount of cleaning and power washing we will have in the spring.  If you have a sheltered area on your patio you may be able to leave some items outside, and enjoy your garden year round.

Er, kids, before you go, help me with my End of Summer To Do List, please :)

Thank you kids, for your help!

My kids are leaving soon to head back to college.  In the beginning of the season we cleaned out the garage and checked over all our beach and pool equipment and toys, then never gave the garage another thought, until now.  It’s been pretty much a dumping ground for bikes and beach chairs and so what, it was summer.  While I have the extra hands to help, I want to have a quick tidy up, purge and hose down.  It won’t take long to do now, if we all chip in.  If and when we have to bring our outdoor furniture in, the garage will be clean and organized for us to do so.

....... followed by this!

This is what's for supper!

Are you getting the best deal from your service providers who maintain your yard, pool, pest control and cleaning?

How much should you be paying?

We all did the leg work once, when we researched, interviewed and hired our service providers, but when was that?  How do you know you are getting the best bang for your buck? Taking a moment to review each service and the cost, not only ensures that you are getting the best deal, it lets your providers know that they need to be competitive to retain your business.  

Talk to friends and neighbors, to see if they would happily recommend whomever is working for them.  Call the competition to get quotes.  You have the option to go back to your vendor and ask them to improve their price and/or include additional services.  Its not a personal thing, it’s business. If you can reduce your monthly yard service charges, you have the option to spend the savings upgrading your plantings.  Your landscaper still gets your money, but you get more for it!

With your pest control service, are you getting a discount for paying for your annual contract up front? Why not? Better your money in your bank than theirs.  Compare how often they visit and if they charge for additional calls between scheduled maintenance to deal with a problem.

Hire a service and keep your sanity?

How about the housework?  Compare the cost of a cleaning service (who provide all their own cleaning products) to a single housekeeper.  Often times a service is more flexible if you need to change your cleaning day.  

When I had four children at home all the time, I really appreciated weekly help with all the cleaning and laundry, in fact I couldn't have done it on my own.  I told my husband, it made me a better mum. If I had had to clean the house from top to bottom to see it messed up within 15 minutes of the kids getting home from school, we would of had less harmony in our home and more yelling!  I needed someone who could spend the day at my house, so between us, we could get through all the laundry cleaning, organizing and ironing.  

As our children grow, so our needs changed.  I no longer have to change five beds and five sets of towels, only one, so I no longer have a housekeeper, but if I did I would be on a bi weekly schedule for sure.  I would also consider a cleaning service now, because they send two or three people and they are in and out in a couple of hours tops.