Done Before Dinner: 5 DIYs for Spring's Longer Days

A handyman working in the yard with sunlight cast on the fence.

The days are finally getting longer, and while it normally takes a while to adjust, there are some benefits to the old practice of changing the clocks. The time change going from winter into spring gives everyone an extra hour or so of daylight at the end of a work day. With that in mind, there are several projects you can do around the house, all before the dinner bell rings, to take advantage of that extra sunshine.

Clean Up Winter's Mess

You can really take advantage of the extra sunshine and warmer temperatures by d

You can really take advantage of the extra sunshine and warmer temperatures by doing a little bit of cleanup around your home. It’s not quite time for the annual spring cleaning marathon, but there are a few things you can do outside until then to get a jump start. Try clearing up any debris left over from winter, like dead leaves from trees or plants around your home. Furthermore, this is the perfect time of year to prune some of those same plants and trees to make sure they bloom beautifully in the spring. While you’re outside cleaning up, make a note of any landscaping deficiencies you’d like to fix later, like laying down additional bark around you plants, or planting a new shrub to fill in a dead spot. Additionally, now is a good time, before it gets too hot, to give your home a rinse down, especially if your siding took a hit with some of the winter grime. The best part of this project is that it gets you outdoors and into the sun.

Start Imagining Your Spring Blooms

Another great project that will get you outdoors is planning a garden. The groun

Another great project that will get you outdoors is planning a garden. The ground may not be quite ready to be tilled, but there are still plenty of things you can do to get ready for your springtime garden. One thing you can do is pull out those winter vegetables from last year’s garden along with any weeds that have grown. All of this waste, besides the weeds, can be composted and used later as fertilizer. Also, you can start planting your seeds indoors so they’re ready to go when you plant, and you can begin to plan a layout for you garden and determine where and what kind of plants you’d like to grow.

Give the House Exterior a Once-Over

Winter can be brutal on homes. With spring right around the corner, you could sp

Winter can be brutal on homes. With spring right around the corner, you could spend your extra hours of daylight by going over your home and making sure critical aspects like your HVAC system, windows, and gutters are in top shape. If you are extra ambitious, you can even begin to address some of the issues you find. If your gutters are clogged with fallen leaves and debris, make sure you clean them out so they are ready for proper drainage when those springtime thunderstorms come rolling along. If your windows have seen better days, then apply some new sealant to keep that cool air inside during the hot summer months.

Chase Away the Winter Cobwebs and Dust

The days are finally getting longer, and while it normally takes a while to adju

We have already touched on cleaning the outside of your home, so let’s now turn to the inside. There are plenty of small cleanup projects you could fit into your schedule, and those extra hours of sunlight can really shed some light on what needs cleaning inside your home. Open up the windows in any given room and allow the natural sunlight to illuminate any spots that need a good cleaning. Typical places where dust accumulates during the winter include high up in the corner walls, and on shelves and blinds. You can also take this opportunity to rearrange furniture and give the room a new lively feeling.

Barricade Your Home Against Summer's Onset

With spring arriving and summer just around the corner, now is a good time to ge

With spring arriving and summer just around the corner, now is a good time to get ahead of the game concerning weatherproofing your home. After all, when those hot summer days come along you want to make sure all that cool air stays inside your home. With that in mind, inspect all the doors that lead outside and any outward facing windows. Check to see if there are any gaps where air is getting through. A tip for this is to use the sunlight as an indicator for any spaces where air can enter or escape your home. Turn the lights off inside your house and see if any light from outside is coming through. Make a note of the places that need covering, and then buy the appropriate weatherproofing strips or sealants to keep that precious air inside.