1. Pile Up
Get in touch with your inner child and jump into a big pile of leaves.
2. Go Electric
Yardwork is easy with an electric blower that blows, vacuums, and mulches. (Check your local Lowe's store for the latest products and availability).
3. Use the Leaves
Fall foliage is beautiful -- until you have to rake. Here are four things to do with leaves:
BREAK DOWN
Turn piles of leaves into compost. For the best results, shred leaves, then layer with soil, grass clippings, or other organic material; turn frequently.
SPREAD OUT
Use leaves as groundcover for garden beds. They insulate perennials during cold winter months. Pull back from plants in spring.
MULCH IT
Use an electric push mower to mulch your leaves. Let them decompose and feed the turf, or collect and add to garden beds.
GET CREATIVE
Bring colorful leaves inside and use them for craft projects. Press them between the pages of a book and frame or use them to embellish a wreath or flower arrangement.
4. Plan Ahead
Plant bulbs in the fall to enjoy beautiful blooms next spring -- and keep these three things in mind:
TIMING
The best time to plant spring-blooming bulbs is September or October, when soil temperatures have cooled.
LOCATION
Place bulbs in well-drained soil. They typically require at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
DEPTH
Dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall, and then place the bulb in the hole, pointy side up.
5. Keep the Heat
Seal drafty windows in older homes with an insulation kit. The clear film shrinks to fit your window and is easy to install with a hair dryer. Simply remove in the spring.
6. Be Organized
Schedule reminders to change your furnace filters, track purchases, and organize your upcoming projects with MyLowe's.
7. Warm Up
Think ceiling fans are only for warm weather? Think again. Change the rotation direction of your ENERGY STAR ceiling fan to clockwise in cooler months to push warm air down into the room. Most fans have a control switch on the stem.
8. Cut Costs
Save energy and money -- without affecting your comfort -- by installing a programmable thermostat. Models such as this can reduce your annual heating and cooling bills by up to 10 percent. Source: U.S. Department of Energy.
9. Close the Gap
Keep drafts at bay with caulk or weather stripping that seals gaps around windows and doors. For more weatherizing tips, go to Lowes.com/EfficientHome.
10. Fall Back
When you set your clocks back one hour to Standard Time, check the batteries in your smoke alarm and replace your furnace filters.
