9 Tips for Outdoor Home Maintenance

By Ana Dorta  

Design by Aeneas Eaton

In Westchester, our winters can be frigid, our summers are balmy, and the spring and fall land somewhere in between. This wide range of temperatures comes with a vast list of outdoor chores to keep our yards and home’s exterior in its best shape. Here are nine of the most important outdoor home maintenance responsibilities, season by season.

1. Take inventory each winter.

Without leaves and flowers impeding your view, the winter offers a chance to really understand the status of your outdoor area. “Winter is a great time to walk your property to assess for damaged branches and trees and to do a little winter tree identification,” says Jenn Cipriano, owner of Copia Home & Garden. “You would be surprised by what you may find that was potentially buried by invasive or vining plants.”

2. Groom & sharpen tools and begin planting before spring arrives.

“Winter is also a great time to mow your “no-mow” areas and meadows because there’s little to no disturbance to insects and wildlife, as well as minimal soil compaction since the ground is frozen,” Cipriano explains. She also recommends cleaning and sharpening your garden tools during those colder months and tackling some pruning. “Rose bushes and apple trees should be pruned in the winter. And you should plant poppies and wildflower seeds before snow because many of these seeds need something called stratification, or cold exposure, in order to germinate. As the snow melts, the seeds will settle into the ground just enough so they will likely germinate come spring.”

3. Clean your gutters regularly.

Rainstorms can wreak havoc on a home, especially if you don’t take proper preventive measures. “It sounds absurd, but especially in areas like ours, with a lot of trees around, it’s more than a once-a-year job,” says Jamey Gelardi, a Houlihan Lawrence licensed real estate salesperson. “I clean my gutters and downspouts at least three times a year.”And even further on the gutter front, it might be valuable to make them a little longer. “Heavier rains come across our area, which means you need proper downspouts,” says Jessica Watts, a real estate agent with Rand Realty. “There can be a lot of puddling around your house, but extending your gutter spout away from the structure of your house ensures that it works correctly and prevents water from pooling near the foundation. This reduces the risk of flooding and structural damage.”

4. Feed your lawn every season.

Outdoor spaces need nourishment, too. “Most lawns in our area tend to be too acidic; thus, more weeds grow,” says Cipriano. “Apply a good amount of calcium lime (MagiCal) to the lawn as well as gypsum and humates to break up soil compaction. Done biannually, this can give you a great lawn without the use of synthetic fertilizer or chemicals.”

5. Empty your wheelbarrow.

Do you have a wheelbarrow or large bucket sitting in your yard? Is it full of water—specifically still water? Dump it as often as possible. It’s a breeding ground for all sorts of critters, including mosquitoes. “There are property management protocols you can follow in terms of treating stagnant water,” says Anthony Dana, owner of Dana Pest Control. “But, for the most part, if they’re in items like wheelbarrows, it’s best to dump it out.”

6. Once the plants start to grow, maintenance becomes the name of the game, Even if You’re just doing an annual trim.

As much as we might focus on the actual bloom, of equal importance is maintaining the garden once it grows. That means not missing the annual hedge trim. “Hedges should be cut no later than July 15 usually,” says Dana. Additionally, leaving hedges too long and untrimmed close to your home can lead to moisture buildup and eventual insects. “Keeping hedges trimmed and off the structure is the best thing to do to prevent carpenter ants or other crawling insects from accessing the home,” Dana explains.

7. Water your plants, but not too much.

Less is more when it comes to watering your plants, especially in seasons when they’re already getting hydrated from the rain. “Be mindful of how much rain we are getting,” says Cipriano. “If very little, be sure to hand-water new plants and increase watering of existing plants, evergreens especially. Set your irrigation to be less frequent but longer to encourage deep roots on lawn grasses and vegetables.”

8. Admire the leaves in the trees and in the yard, but not on your house.

While the Westchester foliage is unparalleled, it is best to not leave leaves on the yard too close to the house. There are benefits to leaving leaves in the yard, as they can ensure that weeds don’t overpopulate your lawn, and they can promote moisture that keeps grass healthy, explains Cipriano. However, it is best to make sure they’re not getting too close to the house. “It is best to get rid of leaf buildup around the foundation,” says Dana. “Leaves gather moisture, specifically in the spring and summer. This can not only damage the foundation if it’s near the house, but moisture buildup also leads to insects.

9. Channel your inner Van Gogh and pull out the paint.

Paint doesn’t just serve an aesthetic purpose; it can also prevent damage, particularly outside. “Any time you’re missing paint on your deck, you’re exposing the wood to rot,” explains Watts. “I’d always say it’s really a good idea to take inventory of where you’re missing paint. If you’re missing paint, don’t wait.”

This article was published in the March/April 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.