Fall lawn care

What can you do now to ensure a more beautiful lawn next spring? Fall is prime time for lawn seeding, fertilizing and general maintenance. Learn the basics at a free Fall Lawn Care seminar at Gertens. A lawn expert will answer your questions and discuss products and tools available. 10 a.m. Aug. 29 at Gertens, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights.

Fall yard and garden prep

A little work in the fall makes a gardener's life much easier in the spring. Bachman's horticulturist and master gardener Abby Davis will lead a seminar on Fall Yard and Garden Prep, focused on autumn tasks that make the next growing season more successful. The seminar will be offered twice, 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 30, and 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 8, at Bachman's, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis. The cost is $10, which includes a coupon for $5 off a purchase of $25 or more. To register, visit bachmans.com or call 612-861-7311.

Backyard retreat

A paver patio, firepit and looky landscape are the key ingredients to creating a comfortable outdoor getaway. Gertens free Outdoor Workshops cover everything from DIY firepits to picking the right pavers for a patio, from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. Register to win free delivery of your project supplies. To sign up, go to gertens.com/events or call 651-450-1501.

Winter-ready windows

Are your old house windows ready to battle the upcoming cold and wind? At the class "Winterizing Wood Windows" historic window specialist Paul Schmidt of Restoration Window Systems will demonstrate weatherstripping, glazing, glass and other methods to repairing and making your windows more winter-proof, from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 12, 7839 Elm St. NE., Fridley. The class is for beginner to intermediate-level DIY-ers. Cost $29; $25.50 for Preservation Alliance of Minnesota members. Register by Sept. 5. Go to mnpreservation.org, click on "Programs" tab and "Cornerstone Academy."

KIM PALMER and LYNN UNDERWOOD