Now that you have the inside of your home ready for winter, it’s time to get organised outside.

Pets:

• Ensure your outdoor pets have sufficient dry shelter from the elements
• Check their bedding regularly to ensure they can sleep warm and dry

Gutters:

• Ensure the gutters are free of leaves and debris otherwise these will overflow and cause damage with the rainy season

Garage/Shed:

• Make room for keep push bikes, scooters, etc. under cover to protect them from getting wet and rusting
• Make room for your firewood where it can be kept dry & ready for use
• Mice start fleeing the elements in winter time and will be looking for places to nest. Keep everything that could be potential nesting place for mice OFF the ground
• Keep mouse traps/baits ready, and inspect regularly

Swimming Pool:

• Clean the pool, balance the water (PH levels) & check for algae
• Check chlorine levels and use a regular shock treatment for your pool right through winter
• Cover the pool with a quality pool blanket to keep debris out and maintain water levels
• Do a quick check over once a week during winter

Garden:

• Ensure your sprinklers are turned off in line with Water Corporation regulations
• Plants are going into their “winter sleep” now and will not require any fertilizer until the warmer months return
• Keep weeds under control – the winter rain will make them pop up all over the garden
• Lawn – the upside is you do not need to mow your lawn regularly during winter plus you get free watering from the rain
• Don’t trim your plants back yet, do this when winter comes to an end