Posted by Steve | Posted in garden and landscape, Gardening, Survival and Preparedness | Posted on 27-11-2010
Ten Quick Tips to Prepare Your Yard for Winter
by Steve White, http://enjoytimeoutdoors.com
With the season change in full swing, now is the time to make sure YOUR ‘outdoors’ is ready for the cold, snowy, and freezing weather.
Here are ten tips to help get your landscape ready for winter…
1.) Final haircut of the season
With the blade set high, mow the lawn one final time for the season. Try to let the mower run out of gas when finished. This can eliminate the need to drain the gas tank for winter storage.
2.) Rake and shred leaves
Shredded leaves make wonderful insulation for your beds, bushes, and trees. If you have a leaf shredder-great! If not, just run your lawnmower over the leaf piles and rake up your shredded leaves. If you have a surplus add some to your garden and compost bin, or store them for spring use.
3.) Remove dead perennials
Resist the urge to pull them out, roots and all. By cutting them down to the ground you leave the roots in the ground, leaving them to bio-degrade. This adds additional nutrients for the soil micro-organisms. Leaving them also prevents disturbing the soil that will be sitting dormant during the winter months. If you are a seed-saver, be sure to capture, label and store the seeds. A great place to share/trade your seeds for FREE is the Seed Exchange at HeirloomSeedSwap.com.
4.) Put away patio containers
If you have patio containers and pots, empty them into the compost bin or around the landscape beds. Wash them with a mild detergent and strong brush and store for the winter.
5.) Protect your patio furniture
Ice and snow can cause a lot of damage to patio furniture, especially marble top tables. Ten dollars in tarps and bungee cords can go a long way in extending the life of your patio furniture. Stack and cover your chairs, tables, umbrellas, etc.
6.) Prevent burst garden hoses
Freezing water can crack and split garden hoses. If the hose is still attached to the house it can cause damage to the spigot. Drain and store the garden hoses now to prevent damage and ensure they are ready to go come springtime.
7.) Avoid spigot/water damage
If you have shutoffs in your basement be sure to use them and drain the lines. Don’t risk ice-damaged spigots/ water lines, if possible.
8.) Dry firewood burns better
If you leave your firewood rack open throughout the summer, covering it with a tarp and bungee cords will keep out the snow, ice and water, ensuing you have nice, dry firewood for that cold winter night.
9.) Clean gutters drain better
Ensuring that the gutters are clean and draining properly will help prevent ice buildup throughout the winter. Ice buildup in the gutters is very heavy and can literally rip the gutters right off the house. Proper drainage is critical for when the spring showers arrive in a few short months. This fall I’ve incorporated Gutter Filters to help keep our gutters clean. So far, they are doing a great job! Read this post for more information.
10.) The rub with trees/shrubs
Branches and shrubs that come in contact with the house not only wear the surface of the house, they also create damage points on the tree/shrub, making them vulnerable for disease and insects. Depending on the location, overgrown shrubs and trees too close to the house retains moisture, resulting in mildew, rot, and/or pest damage. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
11.) Bonus item- What’s your grade?
Sometimes the mulch around the foundation settles unevenly throughout the seasons. Take a few minutes to check that mulch materials around your foundation grades away from the house. This helps the water run off away from the house, reducing the risk of foundation damage, water infiltration, and/or pest damage.
Thoughts, suggestions, or comments? Please leave a comment below or email me at enjoytimeoutdoors at gmail dot com …
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