Prepare Your Yard for Winter

04/18/2023

Why does it matter?

Those decks and plants that brought so much joy this summer need to be protected during the winter months so they are ready to go once the temperatures begin to rise. Also, winter brings a number of guests to your door, including snow and ice. Keep walkways and driveways clear and safe as guests arrive.

Where do I start?

• If possible, move outdoor furniture, grills, toys, and other items to a covered and protected space. This will help protect these objects and make it much easier to clear snow and ice from a deck after a storm. Once the deck is clear, seal it to protect against snow, ice, rain, and other elements.
• If you have plants outside that cannot take cold weather, consider moving them indoors, bringing a little life and décor to the inside of your home. If this isn’t possible, cover plants and shrubs when temperatures are forecasted to drop below tolerable levels.
• Once all the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters of any debris, and install gutter downspout extensions a minimum of four feet from the house. This will allow melting snow and rain to flow away from your house, preventing floods.
• Turn off and drain all of your outdoor plumbing, including hose connections, pool connections, sprinkler systems, etc. After you've turned off the water, leave faucets in the "on" position, and remove any plastic components.
• Drain the gas from your lawnmower, and service your snowblower with a tune-up.
• Trim back tree branches near the home that might snap under accumulating snow and ice.
• Before a winter storm approaches, lay down a layer of deicing sand/salt to minimize ice buildup.
• After a winter storm, lay down layers of deicing sand/salt to melt the snow and ice. Once it begins to melt, you can chip away at the layers with a snow shovel to remove it from steps and walkways.
• Once you have finished clearing your walkways, consider helping others in your community who may need a little help.