Are you someone who loves to garden or work in your yard? Spring and summer are a great time to enjoy all the beauty of East Tennessee. Then fall comes and brings the changing leaves and harvest time. As cooler temperatures arrive, gardens and lawns must be prepped to get ready for the coming season.

Not only does your yard need to be winterized, but your garden tools and equipment need to be properly cared for in winter as well. With proper care, your garden tools can survive the wintry elements and be in tip top shape when the next planting season arrives.

The best way to ensure that your tools are cared for is to always clean them prior to putting them away. Give tools a good scrubbing and make sure that they are free of dirt or other matter. A steel brush is one way to really clean metal tools and steel wool is another.

Once tools are clean, they also need to be dried. Putting tools away wet can cause them to rust or corrode.

To prevent future rust that might occur from moisture during the winter months, coat metal tools with a small amount of vegetable oil, applied using a clean cloth.

Not only does this keep your tools rust free, it’s also safe for your soil.

Many garden tools have wooden handles that can get splintered or dry. Sand these a bit first and then coat them with linseed oil. This will be absorbed into the wood and help protect it from damage from the season’s elements.

Your tools can last a long time when you give them the proper care. Winter is coming whether we’re ready for it or not, so get your tools and gardening implements weather proofed and ready for the season.

As you ready your tools for the winter, remember that a well-maintained yard is just one way homeowners give their properties a unique flair. At Wallace Real Estate, we’ve been helping home buyers and sellers with their distinctive real estate needs since 1936. Your home matters, and we’re here to ensure your real estate journey is as seamless as caring for your garden tools. Prepare for winter, and let’s make your home shine in every season.

With Thanksgiving drawing near, many of us will open our homes to friends and family for delicious feasting and quality time spent together. Some guests will travel into town in order to be with family for the holiday and perhaps your home will host these loved ones.

While we all anticipate time with our families, often with busy schedules it can be stressful trying to prepare for overnight guests. But with these low maintenance helpful hints, prepping your home for visitors can be a breeze.

1. Speed Clean: Gather essential cleaning supplies into a basket and attack the main areas that will be seen and used. Spend 10 minutes per room and just target surface areas in order to not overwhelm yourself.

Pick up clutter, change bed linens, dust surface areas, vacuum carpeted rooms, and mop the kitchen for an easy, manageable refreshed home.

2. Stock the Bathroom: Overnight guests will more than likely want to freshen up at some point so a well stocked bathroom is a must. Make sure that there are plenty of toiletries like paper and soap readily available as well.

Supply your guests with fresh towels and washcloths for bath time. If you really want to go that extra step, keep extra toothbrushes, razors, shampoo, etc on hand for those that might have forgotten to bring their own.

3. Stock the Kitchen: While guests do not expect your kitchen to have all of their favorite snacks and treats, it is a good idea to have a few staples on hand. Favorites such as bottled water, coffee, juice and milk allow for the simple comforts away from home.

For even more convenience, put out cereal and other non perishable breakfast items the night before so guests can help themselves and not wait on you, allowing for some extra guilt free shut eye.

If you and your guests plan to watch movies or catch up late into the night, snacks would be a welcome treat. Foods such as chips and dip, fruit, trail mix, and other such goodies are great items to munch on while enjoying your time.

4. Activities for Children: If smaller children will be coming as well, simple entertainment can make a huge difference in the quality of their visit.

Movies, books, coloring pages, puzzles and board games can go a long way in keeping little minds occupied. Not only does this keep the kiddos happy, but mom and dad get to enjoy adult conversation without worrying what the children are into. These amusing activities will go a long way in ensuring a fun visit for everyone.

It can be stressful having guests stay in your home due to the simple fact that you want them to be comfortable and enjoy their time with you. However it does not have to take hours to get your home ready for the season of visitors nor does it have to cause anxiety.

Hopefully these few tips will help next time you roll out the welcome mat for friends and family. And always remember, your loved ones are there to see you so have a wonderful time and enjoy them! The holidays are a great time to create some new traditions and make lasting memories with the ones you hold dear.

Once Halloween is over, it’s time to start getting your home ready for your holiday guests.

Preparing for the holidays can be a stressful job, but if you get started early and follow some of these great tips, you’ll be able to greet your friends and loved ones ready to celebrate in style this holiday season.

Cleaning In Advance-

Give your home a good and thorough cleaning in advance of other holiday prep work.

Do it before you bring home gifts for friends and family or start any real holiday decoration set up. A clean house is the perfect blank canvas for your holiday masterpiece.

Then, after a deep cleaning, you’ll be able to keep your home clean with just some minor maintenance through the holiday season.

Decorations-

The key to stress free holiday decoration is timing.

Get started early to avoid last minute headaches. Put your plans on paper and gather what you need early.

Then, when the time comes to set up your holiday decor, you’re not stressed for time or missing any of the parts you’ll need.

Guest Rooms-

Make sure you put fresh, clean sheets and linens on the bed in your spare bedroom.

Add some seasonal touches, like a plate full of holiday cookies for when your guests arrive. Maybe put some holiday themed blankets out to keep them warm.

Another good way to accommodate your guests is to clean out the closet in your spare room so they have plenty of room to hang clothes and store anything else they may have brought (gifts, etc).

Stock Up On Essentials-

If you’re expecting guests, stock up on what they may need.

Make sure you have enough towels, soap, and shampoo. Keep a few extra toothbrushes on hand and some extra toothpaste.

It’s also never a bad idea to stock up on snacks and drinks, not necessarily just hot cocoa and cookies, but you can never have enough of those on cold holiday nights.

With a little planning and preparation, you can get your home ready for the holidays in a snap.