With spring just around the corner, many homeowners are itching to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather! March is an excellent time of year to perform regular maintenance around your home, as well as prepare your home for the upcoming summer months.
1. If you’re a gardener, the early spring season is one of the most exciting times of the year! Greater Philadelphia is located in Zones 6 and 7 of the USDA, and it’s time for many of us to begin starting vegetable seeds indoors, and transplant them to our garden in April. Not so sure you’re ready to begin a vegetable garden? Consider a kitchen herb garden. Basil, oregano, cilantro and chives are easy to grow and complement just about any meal! Be sure to check out The Old Farmer’s Almanac guide to plan your garden this year.
2. Now that the winter weather is just about over, it’s a good idea to check for any exterior winter damage. Luckily, this past season wasn’t too harsh, but that doesn’t mean your home didn’t take a beating! Be sure to carefully inspect your home’s roof for cracked and missing shingles, check your siding for water damage/stains, and clean your home’s exterior light fixtures. It may be time to replace your storm windows with the original screens, too.
3. Since you’ll be spending a lot more time outdoors in the upcoming months, you’ll want to be sure that everything’s safe and working properly. If you have a deck or patio, check for warped or splintered boards. Plus, it’s a great time of year to clean and reseal the finish on your wood deck! And if you haven’t used your gas grill for a few months, be sure to inspect the burner jets for any obstructions, and be sure that all hoses and connections are in good working order.