Love? Chores? Well, if that sounds like an oxymoron to you...you are not alone! But by thinking of the critters in your yard first, it will help cut the time of your fall clean up in half (or so).

As you may be noticing, the animals in your habitats are gearing up for winter. Squirrels are hiding nuts, animals are growing a thicker coat and spiders are coming into your house (eek). The critters are also hunting for a nice warm winter shelter, which is why the spiders (and other critters) try to sneak into your house in the fall. What does this have to do with fall chores, you ask? Plenty.

Instead of raking up and composting or disposing of your leaves, leave some in and around your bushes. This will make a nice insulated home for bunnies, birds and a host of other critters. Towards fall, when tree limbs come down, I save them in a corner of my yard. When my vegetable garden is over for the year, I make a brush pile. I use the limbs, add some leaves and also have some rocks at the bottom. I assemble the rocks into a tee-pee shape to make a cavity for any animal that adopts it. By having this brush pile, it acts as a screen to protect the critters from predators and a place for warmth.

Other shelters can be made from log piles, homemade bird houses, left over plant stalks, etc. Besides shelter, animals also need food and water. Make sure to have a water source that is not frozen 100% of the time. Inexpensive heaters can be purchased, or refill the water daily.