Early fall to-do list

Summer is nearly over, but that does not mean homeowners can rest on their laurels. Transitional seasons are an important time for homes and homeowners, so take care of these tasks during the month ahead.

Dispose of old paint. When the garage starts to look more like a Sherwin Williams store than a place to park a car, then it is time to discard old cans of paint. Keeping leftover paint for minor touchups is a good idea, but paint does not last forever. The lifespan of paint will vary by type and storage conditions, but if it is more than a few years old, it should probably go. Check with local government disposal rules for proper disposal.

Fall is a good time to dispose of paint and other hazardous waste when some communities hold special hazardous-waste collection events. (In addition to year-round collection sites, Hennepin County's fall collection event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Shorewood Public Works Facility; there's a limit to three 5-gallon pails of paint. Ramsey County, which also has year-round sites, has additional collection sites open through October.)

Give windows a thorough cleaning. Summer can be hard on windows. Windows are magnets for dirt, dust and pollen, and it is important to keep these from becoming caked on the window's exterior. Clean windows are not only easier to see out of, but they also greatly enhance the home's curb appeal and keep the exterior looking clean and well maintained.

Start fall plantings. It's time to plant spring-blooming bulbs, and if you really hurry, there may still be time to divide hardy perennials such as hostas and coneflowers and get them established before the first frost.