This is a good time, while the weather is still relatively nice, to walk around the exterior of your home with some color-matched exterior caulk.

Check around all the areas between the trim and siding, around window and door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your house.  Any places you find where the caulking has broken down or looks like it's going to break down, remove it and replace it with fresh sealant.  Follow the manufacturer's directions for the specific product you are using.

Preventing moisture from getting inside your walls is one of the most important of the fall maintenance jobs . . . not to mention the potential air leaks that may create winter drafts and waste precious energy.  

Don't know much about caulking?  Here is a helpful video from Gimme-Shelter.

Before storing your mower for the winter, perform the following maintenance to ensure your mower is ready to start right up and run smoothly next Spring.

• Clean the mower from top to bottom, and turn it on its side to clean out all the accumulated grass from the mower deck.
• Add fuel stabilizer to the gas in your mower as well as the gas in your gas cans.  Fuel stabilizer prevents the gasoline from degrading and potentially damaging internal engine parts.  Then run the mower for 5 minutes to make sure the stabilizer reaches the carburetor.
• Remove the spark plug and pour a capful of engine oil into the spark plug hole.  Then pull the starter cord a few times to distribute the oil to keep pistons lubricated.

Mid to late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees.  The summer growth cycle is over and the plants are preparing for their dormant stage over the colder months. 

Prune tree limbs and branches so they are at least 3 feet from your house.  This prevents rain and snow from dripping onto your roof or siding.  This will also prevent potential damage to your home in the event of high winds and heavy snow or ice storms.

Pruning your trees and bushes now will not only avoid potential damage to your home, but will also keep the plants healthy over the winter and ready for a new awakening next Spring.

For information on caring for specific plants and trees native to Hot Springs Village, visit the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension website.