Fall yard and garden clean up checklist Columbus Ohio Hurricane Sandy Brings Torrential Rain and Snow to Ohio...in October?!? [caption id="attachment_264" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Click Map for Full Size Image"][/caption] It suddenly feels like winter in Columbus, and a harsh one at that. Snow before Halloween? I can't remember the last time that happened—if ever! The NOAA forecast for a wet winter for Ohio and the Great Lakes region is looking like a safe bet right about now. Freak storms aside, I prepared a fall yard and garden clean up checklist but it suddenly seems like I should be out shopping for rock salt and snow tires. This list is adapted from one I found on the Iowa Gardener. And while I am thinking about it, we offer storm debris clean up, too. Whether a it's flooding from a late year, slow-moving hurricane, hail or lightning damage from a summer thunderstorm or an ice storm's deep freeze, we will help you clean up and dispose of everything in a safe, environmentally sound way. And we don't even charge for labor! Without further ado, here is the 'official' Junk King Columbus autumn checklist for Central Ohio: ❏ Pull up all annuals (plants that you have to buy every year). ❏ Cut back perennials (plants that return every year). ❏ Start a compost pile for organic matter, including small amounts of leaves and branches. ❏ Call Junk King Columbus for assistance gathering and hauling away anything you won't be composting ;-) ❏ After the first frost, dig up and store indoors all tender bulbs. ❏ Empty all pots and store in the garage so they don't crack in the cold. ❏ Have Junk King rake the leaves from your lawn but it is OK to leave them if they are few and in flower and garden beds—Free Mulch! ❏ Mow the lawn one final time before winter arrives. We suggest you use a mulching mower but we can dispose of grass clippings too. ❏ Run the mower until the gas tank is empty. Check the owner's manual to see if any filters need to be changed and what, if anything, to do with the oil. ❏ Sharpen the blade, this is something that should be done every fall. As a reminder, we do not charge for labor so if you don't feel like raking leaves or picking up the yard you can call us and we will do it for you at the same price as if we were just picking it up and hauling it away to be composted. To book an appointment or schedule a free on-site estimate call us at 1-800-995-JUNK (1-800-995-5865). Remember to buy candy and drive carefully in residential neighborhoods on Beggar's Night. Fall yard and garden clean up checklist Columbus Ohio