by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
So we’ve had a taste of warm weather for a few days and all the snow is finally melted. Daylight savings has come and we are enjoying more hours of daylight now, even finally adjusting to a new sleep pattern. What comes next is the long list of outdoor chores we tackle each spring to spruce up our home and garden space. The only decision is where to start first. Take a look at your mailbox and front door. Do they both look tired, worn and unattractive? Mailboxes are relatively inexpensive and to replace a dented or faded one also makes the appearance of your house, with the address numbers updated and in plain view look neater. When you purchase your new mailbox think about reflective numbers so visitors can see your address clearly, as well as any emergency services that might ever be needed to come to your home. Without a doubt the front door is the first impression of your home friends and family will see. Does it need a new coat of paint or be re-sanded and stained again? Perhaps even a change of color might add a little “zing” to the entrance and give your home the lift it needs. When we bought our home decades ago, I remember the realtor telling us a story about the color of a home’s front door that might have started after WWII. He said that when home owners paid the mortgage off, to celebrate the front door was painted red, and then all that entered the home knew of this accomplishment.
The Shed…What better time to tackle cleaning out the shed than during the first warm weeks of spring? Everyone that has a shed or full garage knows this is one of the chores that is often put off because it is too tiresome. Do it in small increments. Our shed is a disaster and this is one of the priorities on my list this spring. What can we throw out? Perhaps there are some old cracked sleds that have long stopped being useful. Flower pots galore are stacked up in our shed and there are more than I’ll ever need for my plants. Over the last few years I have brought them to a local garden center to donate them back so they can reuse them for their plants. The owner was quite pleased and said this saves them money when they do not have to order new pots for their plantings. By the way, a friend of mine cleaned out two large shelves in her basement that held glass vases and assorted shaped ceramic floral containers that she received as gifts over the years. Each flower delivery for a birthday or special occasion brought another vase. She went to her local florist and asked if they wanted these attractive and still usable glass vases. The answer was an enthusiastic “yes.” The next day she packed up almost fifteen lovely items and donated to the appreciative florist. Two items were achieved here. Two shelves of “clutter” became free and the still like-new items recycled. Side note: Often nursing homes may need vases for their residents that receive floral bouquets a friend brings from a supermarket florist and no vase comes with it. If you live near such a facility, call and ask if they need extra vases.
Lawn Furniture…My dad used to “re-web” the lawn chairs when the plastic fabric began to fray. It has been years since I have seen anyone do this and I am sure that most stores no longer sell these repair kits. Sales on these folding chairs and chaise lounges are more reasonable and well made that by the time they are showing their age it is easier to replace them. We have several “Adirondack” looking chairs that are made of plastic instead of the traditional wood. For years they were easy to maintain and wash during the summer season, but now they have lost their usefulness and fresh appearance. It is time to discard them and buy new. Wooden furniture may need sanding and a new coat of paint or stain applied if they have been left outside in the elements. This also goes for garden furniture used by young children, which may have more wear and tear. Check any play or swing sets in the yard to make sure they are in good condition and safe for your children. Check the bolts; cross bars and steps leading up to slides and climbing towers to make sure they are secure and no sharp edges need repair. If you have a sandbox in the yard, discard the old sand, buy new sanitized sand and make sure you have a cover to keep animals from using the play area when children are not there. Well, there you go enough items to check and chores to take care of when the weather warms up. Welcome spring and the use of our yards again!