With summer around the corner, the days are getting longer…and so is the honey-do list. To help you out, we’ll be featuring a “Honey-Do List” at the beginning of each month to make sure you stay ahead of those around-the-house projects.

Here is your to-do list for the month of June:

1.  Prep your guest room for summer visitors.  

Summertime means vacation time, which sometimes means you run a bed & breakfast from your spare bedroom. When creating a serene retreat for out-of-town guests, it’s all about the little touches. Stock a bookshelf with great reads, leave a water pitcher and glasses on the nightstand, and add fresh flowers to brighten up the space. An extra blanket and a set of hotel-size toiletries make any visitor feel at home. Want to make sure your house guests don’t extend their stay? Start enlisting their help on the chores on your honey-do list.

 2.  Upgrade your ceiling fan.

The key to staying cool in the warmer months is to do your maintenance before it heats up. Don’t have a ceiling fan? You should have already had your air conditioner serviced.

3.  Weed, edge and mulch your garden beds.

April showers bring May flowers and June yard work. Avoid common gardening mistakes with these handy tips.  Choose plants that grow best in your region’s climate by using the National Gardening Association Plant Finder to determine what grows best in different conditions. Also, if you plan on getting your windows washed, make sure to do that first to avoid ladders planted in your recently freshened up garden beds.

4.  Organize your garage. 

Avoid the “Honey, have you seen [fill in the blank]?” cries from the garage, by making sure everything has it’s place. Start by making three piles: keep, donate, and toss. From there, determine what needs to be readily accessible–kids’ bikes, heavily used tools, cleaning and gardening supplies–and what can be stored in slightly harder to reach spots for now, like snow shovels.

5.  Organize a garage sale.  

Now that you’ve cleaned up your garage, you need to find a way to get rid of those items you no longer use. Start by taking stock of what you can sell, donate or toss–unfortunately, some times one man’s trash is just trash. Once you have an idea of your inventory, select a date, enlist help and decide if any items need fixing or sprucing up before the sale. It’s important to price items or at least have a bottom price in mind for larger ticket items. A few days before the sale, place an ad in your local paper, craigslist forum and/or put up signs in your neighborhood to direct drivers by.

6.  Open your pool.  

You’ve probably been working on your beach body all winter, so it’s a good thing your backyard is fenced and you don’t have to fight off suitors with the pool vacuum. Before you don the itsy-bitsy bikini, use these tips for opening your pool.

7.  Buy a flag in time for Independence Day.
Show your patriotism by hanging our country’s flag outside your home. Be sure to follow flag etiquette.

8.  Plan your summer vacation.  

You’ve done a great job getting your home ready for summer.  Now it’s time to think about taking a break. Next month’s Honey-Do List will feature important tips to make sure your staycation or vacation are safe, fun-filled and relaxing.