Have chimney inspected and cleaned; bring out all fireplace tools and accessories
Mow the lawn for the last time this season and clean up leaves
Celebrate Oktoberfest; invite friends over for craft beer and bratwurst
Garden
Put fallen leaves to work (page 70)
Remove beach and picnic items from the trunk; vacuum interior thoroughly
Start (or join) a knitting or book club
Buy cough and cold medicines in preparation for winter
Clean gutters
Get seasonal flu shot
Garden
Sow seeds for spring vegetables (in warmer regions) (page 70)
Pets
Considering a pet? Adopt a shelter dog—or donate to your local animal rescue organization (page 71)
COLUMBUS DAY
(Second Monday of October)
Clean and put away outdoor furniture
Move tropical plants indoors, if necessary
Home
Order and stack firewood (page 71)
Make Halloween costumes
Go leaf-peeping
Kids
Craft Halloween decorations (page 72)
Roast a big batch of brussels sprouts and other fall vegetables (and use in meals all week long)
Buy quince and bake into a pie or use in jellies and preserves
Take skis and other gear out of storage; buy replacements; register for ski passes
Put finishing touches on costumes and stock up on treats
Cut back perennials for winter
Visit a pumpkin patch and haunted corn maze
Celebrate
Carve pumpkins (page 73)
Roast pumpkin seeds that you saved from carving pumpkins
Plant spring bulbs (up until December in southernmost states)
Kids
Create leaf art (page 73)
Clean and set up humidifiers
Bake and decorate spooky cookies (and make and freeze extra dough for the holidays)
HALLOWEEN
(October 31)
Go trick-or-treating!