Curb & Cozy
From the video "Dad's October yard checklist"

Dad's October yard checklist

Five things to do in the yard this month, for places with four seasons and a real winter freeze.

A brick ranch house in fall with a young mulched maple, a coiled hose on the wall, a covered outdoor faucet, bulbs ready to plant and a downspout extension

Before and after

The same yard with a droopy young tree in dry soil, a hose across the lawn, dandelions and a clogged gutter
The start
The yard after Dad's checklist
After Dad's checklist
Hazel's dad, white-haired with a short beard, in a canvas work jacket

Dad's tips
Hazel's dad, the yard and fix-it guy.

  1. Deep-soak first-year trees

    Anything planted this year still needs water in fall. Let the hose trickle at the base for a slow, deep soak, about once a week when it's dry, until the ground freezes. Evergreens especially. A 2–3 inch ring of mulch helps hold moisture; keep it off the trunk.

    A young tree with a mulch ring and a hose trickling at its base
    Tree watering bagAmazonHome DepotSoaker hoseAmazonHome Depot

  2. Unhook hoses, drain the outdoor faucets

    Do it before the first freeze. Water left in a hose or faucet can freeze, expand and crack the pipe. An insulated faucet cover adds some protection. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, get it winterized too.

    A coiled hose on a wall hanger next to a foam-covered outdoor faucet
    Outdoor faucet coverAmazonHome Depot

  3. Plant spring bulbs

    Tulips, daffodils and crocus go in once the soil is below about 60°F, roughly 6–8 weeks before the ground freezes. In most four-season areas, that's October. Pointy end up, about three times as deep as the bulb is tall.

    Tulip and daffodil bulbs beside freshly dug holes in a garden bed
    Spring bulbsAmazonHome Depot

  4. Treat dandelions in fall

    In fall, perennial weeds send sugars down to their roots, so a broadleaf weed killer gets carried down with them. Spot-treat, and follow the label.

    Dandelions in a lawn
    Broadleaf weed killer (follow the label)AmazonHome Depot

  5. Clean the gutters

    Wait until most of the leaves are down, then clear the gutters and point the downspouts away from the house. Clogged gutters overflow next to the foundation and can lead to ice dams. Use a steady ladder and have someone with you.

    A downspout with a long extension carrying water away from the house
    Gutter scoopAmazonHome DepotDownspout extensionAmazonHome Depot

Timing depends on where you live. Your local cooperative extension office can give dates for your area.