A Late October’s Yard Tip: Pumpkin Composting

We’ve carved our pumpkins, they’ve ghoulishly grinned, and Halloween night has ended. Don’t let your spooky squashes just go to waste — compost them! Pumpkins are rich in nitrogen and make an excellent compost material. Break them down into smaller pieces to help them decompose quickly. Just remember to remove any candle wax or decorative materials first.

Larry’s One-Trip Move: Start a compost pile if you haven’t yet. It’s the gift that keeps on giving to your garden.

DIY Decoration Hack: Using Old Ladders for Spooky Scenes

Dress up an old ladder to add an eerie aesthetic to your outdoor decor. Use cobwebs, artificial ravens, or dangling lighted pumpkins for a fantastic frightening effect. Let your creativity run wild — add a few fake spiders or even Dracula’s cape for that extra sense of dread. A DIY project that’s both fun and festive.

Larry’s One-Trip Move: Use weather-resistant materials if planning to leave your decoration outdoors.

Daylight Saving Patio Prep

As we prepare to fall back an hour, our evenings will be getting darker sooner. Make the most of your patio space by adding soft, warm lights. Use fairy lights, lanterns, or even LED candles to create a cozy atmosphere. Add a firepit for extra charm — and marshmallow roasting opportunities.

Larry’s One-Trip Move: Choose low-wattage lighting options to conserve energy and avoid attracting insects.

Autumn Home Maintenance: Chimney Sweeping Season

Before you start dreaming of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, schedule a chimney cleaning. Creosote, a byproduct of burning wood, can build up in your chimney, leading to blocked airflow and dangerous chimney fires. An annual inspection and cleaning will keep your fireplace safe and efficient.

Larry’s One-Trip Move: Hire a certified professional for this job. Chimney cleaning is a task where experience counts.

Community Gathering: The Annual Halloween Parade

Our neighborhood Halloween parade is back! This annual tradition brings the community together for a festive evening of costumes and candy. So put on your best witch’s hat, grab a handful of treats, and join the procession. Just be sure to bundle up; the autumn breeze can get chilly.

Larry’s One-Trip Move: Keep a thermos of hot apple cider handy. It’ll warm the hands and the soul.

🧢 Larry’s Note

It’s not always about the Yard, the Tools, or the Patio. Sometimes it’s about stepping back and enjoying the fruits of our labors. Like today, it’s about basking in the luminous glow of jack-o’-lanterns, or winding down to the crackling of a fire as darkness falls a bit early. Friendly reminder: reset your clocks tonight!

“In the garden of memory, in the palace of dreams… that’s where you and I will meet.” — Alice through the Looking Glass, a fitting quote for Halloween!