Home Maintenance

Home Maintenance

As the vibrant hues of summer give way to the warm and cozy tones of fall, your garden requires a thoughtful transition to align with the changing season. Transitioning your garden from summer to fall ensures that it remains a beautiful and inviting space as the weather cools down. Here are some essential tips to guide you through this seasonal shift.

  1. Clear Out Summer Annuals: Bid farewell to your summer annuals that may have started to fade. Remove these plants and replace them with cold-hardy options like chrysanthemums, pansies, and ornamental kale, which thrive in cooler temperatures.

  2. Prune and Trim: Give your garden a tidy appearance by pruning back any overgrown or dead foliage. This not only enhances the garden's aesthetics…

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We are in the thick of summer when the air is humid and the temperatures are scorching. You know what that means: it is storm season.

Storms are beautiful testaments to the power of Mother Nature, but can wreck havoc on your home. Here are some tips for keeping yourself and your home safe during stormy weather:

  • Have a plan: "Having a storm readiness plan in place saves valuable time if severe weather strikes. Take the opportunity now to choose the best shelter in your home, and make sure your family knows where it is. [Also] choose a meeting place to gather after the storm to ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for" (The Government of Canada).
  • Have supplies ready: "Maintain an emergency pack with a battery-powered flashlight, a…

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Just like when you are building a home, when it comes to gardening, the foundation is paramount!

You can invest in the best seeds, with the perfect position for sunlight, and exactly enough watering. However, if your soil is not equipped to help your plants thrive, your gardening endeavours will fail. Soil is the literal bedrock of gardening, and more finicky than you might expect. Digging up some dirt won’t do your dreams justice. You need to be thoughtful and precise.

Here is how to give your garden a solid soil foundation:

First things first, you need to clear your garden beds of all debris. Live to Plant writes, “start by removing any debris from your garden bed — rocks, sticks, weeds, or old plant material. Weeds compete with your plants for…

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Spring is right around the corner in Calgary, Alberta. March always marks the end of the long, dark winter. Daylight savings has given us back an hour of sunlight, and the dreary grays of dirty snow are making way for pops of green grass. While we are braced for the odd surprise snow blizzard, we know that the end is in sight.

As the spring thaw begins, here are some items around your home prepare for the changing of the seasons:

Inspect your home for potential necessary repairs: “Winter can be harsh on your home, often leaving behind a trail of necessary repairs. As the snow melts and temperatures rise, we encourage you to assess any damage and create a prioritized list of tasks. This proactive approach will help you address issues before they…

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Every month brings unique challenges and opportunities for your property. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything all at once, consider breaking down property maintenance and projects month-by-month. 

Here is the month of February's property checklist:

  • Flip and Rotate Your Mattress: "Before you put on a fresh set of sheets, take an extra minute to rotate the mattress if you haven’t done so recently. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life (and comfort)" (Houzz).
  • Replace All Furnace Filters: "The air filter on your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system needs to be replaced every one to three months to keep the air in your home clean and flowing freely. A high-quality…

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Every month brings unique challenges and opportunities for your property. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything all at once, consider breaking down property maintenance and projects month-by-month. 

Here is the month of January's property checklist:

  • Check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors: "With more heater use and wood fires in the fireplace, it is especially important during winter to make sure those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Use the test button on each device, and change batteries as needed" (Houzz).
  • Resolve to use less energy: "This month, as you make your resolutions to spend less, go on a diet, learn a new skill, or perhaps just find more time for yourself, consider adding another goal for 2025: using…

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Every month brings unique challenges and opportunities for your property. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything all at once, consider breaking down property maintenance and projects month-by-month. 

Here is the month of December's property checklist:

  • Keep your kitchen safe and fire-hazard free! Safe Wise writes, "between holiday dinners and baking for family and friends, your oven and range will get a workout this December. Protect your family from cooking fires by keeping your appliances in top shape."
  • Confirm your outdoor lights are working to keep you safe. Real Estate Spice writes, "be sure all your outdoor lights are working. It gets darker earlier and the weather conditions can be treacherous. Make sure all your walkways are…

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Every month brings unique challenges and opportunities for your property. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything all at once, consider breaking down property maintenance and projects month-by-month. Whether the height of summer or depths of winter, there is always something to attend to that will help you get the most out of your home-sweet-home.

Here is the month of November's property checklist:

  • Make sure your home is sealed against the colder weather. Realtor.com writes, "locate and seal cracks and spaces that let heat out and cold air in—along baseboards, wall/ceiling junctures, windows and doors, lighting fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets. Your wallet will thank you, because energy savings from reducing drafts range from…

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While we enjoy a beautiful autumn, every tried-and-true Calgarian knows that Winter is right around the corner. Make sure that you and your property are prepared by tackling these outdoor projects before snow sweeps over the nation:

  • Protect your yard equipment with a shed: "a backyard storage shed is an essential addition to your space, ensuring tools and equipment are protected from the harsh conditions of winter. Beyond its utility, a well-designed shed adds visual charm to your landscaping, blending functionality with aesthetics" (Backyard Boss).
  • Get your grass ready for the long winter and upcoming spring by aerating: "If want your outdoor space to look lush and green once the snow melts, aerating your lawn is a great first step. Once…

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This beautiful summer is slowly turning into a crisp fall, complete with frosty mornings and golden leaves. Stores are rolling out Halloween decor and pumpkin inspired treats, and back to school is in full swing. While you pack away your summer dresses to make room for sweaters, also start thinking of how you can prepare your backyard for autumn.

There are a number of things you should be doing before the snow hits in order to prepare your backyard for autumn and winter. What’s the light at the end of the tunnel as far as cleaning and preparing is concerned? After doing the following things your backyard will be ready for one final hurrah while the weather holds up!

First off, take care of outside structures such as children’s play places, tree…

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