As frost engulfs the lush green grass of summer, lake homeowners begin to prepare for fall, which means putting away the summer toys...a chore that we all dread. But, with a few simple tricks, we can tell you how to make packing and storing much easier.

First and foremost remember the three M's - mice, moisture and mildew.

Without the proper storage and winterizing of water toys, these M's will make for a very unhappy spring . Here are a few helpful tips:

• Be sure to open all boat compartments and hatches to ensure good airflow, avoid moisture, and prevent mildew. Don't wrap items tightly that need to breathe, and beware of places where mildew can grow. Lawn furniture cushions and life preservers, for example, should be thoroughly dried before storing.

• Leaving life jackets, ski ropes, buoys, canopies or towels in your boat can be an easy way to save space, but be sure to hang them up to dry before packing them away for the winter.

• Go through your boating accessories, such as ski ropes, tubes, and life jackets. If the kids have grown out of it or it's torn, don't waste the time and space storing something you won't use next season. Also keep in mind that it is a lot less expensive if you replace worn summer items in the fall when everything is on sale

• Be smart about how and where you organize and be sure to label everything. Keep like items together so when you need something it's easier to find; separate the boating equipment from the patio supplies.

If your boat is not an efficient place to store your toys, Frontgate offers a wide range of storage units that fit nicely into your garage, basement or storage shed. They offer adjustable, open-wire, steel shelving that fits nicely into a corner. Each 3'-wide shelf on the four-tier unit holds up to 300 lbs. If you need something more heavy duty, they also offer a steel, 6'6" W x 6'6" H shelving system that is built to accommodate up to two tons. If you're still unsure about the best way to store your summer toys, go to The Container Store. Their organizing experts will help you design the perfect storage solution. However, if your summer cleaning isn't that extensive, don't underestimate the ease of going to Target for a couple of their plastic bins.

Once the boat is cleaned out and the toys are packed away - get the kids to vacuum and wash windows - it's time to start winterizing. Start with the WD-40, a product that took 40 tries to successfully create, and using a clean towel wipe down all metal parts, particularly ones that aren't aluminum, as well as moving parts such as hinges. It's also a good time to change the oil to prevent internal damage caused by moisture that may have accumulated over the summer.

Most boats in Minnesota use lake water to cool the engine and therefore it should be flushed out before going into storage for the winter. Jim Gountains, owner of Ski Boat Solutions, uses a pump that injects antifreeze into a boat's cooling system to displace any water that might freeze. Antifreeze is also helpful in preventing corrosion.

When you're done, sit back, relax and enjoy the changing leaves, the chill of fall and the fact that in nine long months you will be able to unpack all the summer toys and do it all over again!

By Lyndsey Danberry