As all Hallow’s Eve steadily creeps toward us, you may feel motivated to decorate and whip your yard into shape to impress (or at least scare the heck out of) trick-or-treaters. Just be sure your outdoor space stays among the living this season with these expert lawn- and pool-care tips.

1. Beware the creatures that go bump in the night.

 “Don’t overwater your yard,” says Richard Long of Reliable Landscaping. “And especially, don’t water at night. Root rot, fungi, mildew and moss thrive on darkness and moisture, and you will only encourage their growth.” He recommends, instead, watering infrequently—15 to 20 minutes twice a week should be enough.

2.  Prevent your pool from becoming a haunted lagoon.

Clifton Crawford of C & J Contracting says, “Don’t drain your pool before consulting with a professional first, since this, combined with rainy conditions, can cause the pool to actually come out of the ground.” This requires major repairs. “Also, make sure you hire a licensed contractor with references,” Clifton adds.

3. Don’t make your weeds into Frankenstein’s monster.

“Most homeowners are well-intentioned but aren’t informed about the specific process that they must go through in order to remove weeds using chemical products,” explains Gary Shinn of Hokuahi Lawns. “Remember, the healthier the weed, the more receptive they will be to chemicals.” This is because most chemical products on the market are systemic, meaning they use the healthy leaf system to carry them through the plant. “Make sure everything, including your weeds, are fertilized, green and well-watered, before using chemical weed killers,” he adds.