| Whether it be spring time or the end of summer, get | | | | numbers handy for animal control and an |
| some planning tips and ideas for cleaning up areas | | | | exterminator. Also, wear a mask if you'll be cleaning |
| around your yard. | | | | up dusty or moldy areas. |
| Planning | | | | What To Clean Up |
| Plan ahead of time what needs to be cleaned. If | | | | Clean up old wood piles. If those fireplace logs never |
| there's too much to do at one time, divide it into | | | | got used and there are signs of dry rot or insect |
| several weekend sessions. | | | | infestations, get rid of it. Use a long-handled garden |
| Tools | | | | rake to dismantle the pile as to maintain a safe |
| Get your tools in order to get the job done; | | | | distance from any creatures that might be living in it. |
| wheelbarrow, rake, shovel, chainsaw, shears, loppers, | | | | Pull up weeds while the ground is still workable after |
| etc. | | | | spring rains. If the ground is already too hard, give it |
| Self-Hauling | | | | a soak with the garden hose and do it the next day. |
| Will you be hauling away the trash yourself to the | | | | Recycled bathtub water will work, too, if you want |
| landfill? Call ahead of time to get the dumping hours. | | | | to do a bucket brigade. |
| Have a pick-up truck and/or trailer ready to fill and | | | | Transplanting shrubs and roses is easier when the |
| parked in a convenient location for loading. Rent any | | | | ground is still moist. Dig the target hole first, then dig |
| equipment if necessary. | | | | up the plant to be moved. |
| Scheduled Hauling | | | | Trim trees of interior branches to let in light and air |
| Some communities have free curbside pick-up service | | | | flow. Neaten up over-grown shrubs, trim brushes. |
| as part of their garbage service. Take advantage of | | | | If you don't have green waste pickup and you've |
| it. Find out ahead of time what can / cannot be | | | | been piling your grass clippings, remove the pile. |
| thrown out, how big the pile and the pieces put on it | | | | Get rid of the large cardboard boxes that didn't |
| can be, and when it will be picked up. Tackle the | | | | make it into the trash cans. Break them down, if |
| clean-up jobs that will require hauling to be done first | | | | necessary. You can also use them for neater |
| so everything will be on the pile on the pick-up date. | | | | haul-away of those grass clippings. |
| Save the other non-hauling jobs for later. | | | | Get rid of rusted out BBQ grills, plastic swimming |
| Be Safe | | | | pools, nursery plant containers, and broken patio |
| Mammals, reptiles and insects like to live undisturbed | | | | furniture. |
| in dark, quiet places so always wear protective | | | | If you're not going to use those leftover bricks and |
| clothing and leather gloves when doing major yard | | | | blocks laying on the side of the house, get rid of |
| clean-ups. You'll never know when you'll arouse | | | | them or put a "free" sign on them. Someone will grab |
| poisonous spiders, flying/stinging insects like wasps or | | | | them. |
| yellow jackets, or poisonous snakes. Keep phone | | | | |