Comprehensive Guide to Winterizing Your Yard and Outdoor Spaces

The balmy, leisurely days of summer have finally and completely given way to the crisp, comforting, and vivid autumn season. The sun rises and sets later, the temperatures are dropping, and the trees are preparing to put on a spectacular fall color display.



If you have a lawn, garden, or outdoor living space, now is the time to get them ready for winter. By paying attention to each of these spots in the fall, you can protect them from snow, ice, wind, and sub-zero temperatures and ensure they are ready for the coming spring.



Here are some simple ways to prepare your yard and outdoor living spaces for winter before the first hard frost:

Autumn Lawn Maintenance

Winterizing your grass gets it ready for dormancy and provides it a good start in the spring.



Weeds must be removed

If you have unattractive weeds in your lawn, now is an excellent time to pull them. Perennial weeds compete with your grass for nutrients, which become scarcer and more crucial throughout the winter months. Remove any weeds that are growing in your garden beds while you're at it.



Mow with caution

It's never a good idea to mow your lawn too frequently or to cut it too short, but it's especially vital to mow carefully in the fall. As the temperatures decrease, let your grass to grow a little longer between mowings; in general, you should trim your grass every two weeks until the trees are barren. To minimize snow mold, leave your lawn two inches tall after your final fall mowing.



Mulch downed leaves

Mowing every couple of weeks is a terrific way to mulch any fallen leaves on your lawn, but you'll still need to deal with the piles that form after your final mowing. Instead of blowing them onto the street or collecting them in yard waste bins, try mulching them using your mower's grass catcher attachment. Mulched leaves provide an excellent "insulation blanket" for perennial beds or can be used to replenish compost.









Garden Preparation for the Winter

Cleaning and covering your perennial and edible garden beds protects them from the harsh winter weather and guarantees they're ready to go when the soil thaws.



Clear away your perennial gardens

Perennial gardens are filled with plants and flowers that bloom year after year. Cut them back each fall to ensure they come back stronger each spring – removing dead stalks and leaves helps your plants stay dormant and makes them more disease-resistant. Cleaning and mulching go hand in hand to maintain your perennial beds disease-free and protected during the chilly winter months. Don't clear out your beds if you don't intend to mulch them; the dead stalks and leaves can give some barrier for perennial root systems.



Remove debris from edible gardens

Clear away all residual plant debris from the bed after harvesting your final crop of herbs, vegetables, and fruits from your edible garden. Leaving dead or dying plant debris for the winter may keep any existing pests and plant diseases alive until the next growing season. Once your beds are clear, use a rototiller to break up the soil and test the pH level. If levels are low, now is the ideal moment to apply lime – it takes many months for lime to enhance the soil.



Plant some spring bulbs

If you've always enjoyed the beautiful and often fragrant springtime flowers such as hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, now is the time to plant the bulbs that will provide you with a profusion of blossoms in April. Just make sure to choose a decent location for them to flourish; most bulbs thrive in full light.



Garden beds should be insulated

After you've cleared the previous season's plant debris off your garden beds and planted the spring bulbs you wish to grow, fill each bed with an extensive layer of mulch (shredded wood and/or chopped leaves work well). To avoid rot, keep the mulch mixture at least three inches away from the main stalks of each plant.









Winterization of Outdoor Spaces

Taking the time to prepare for winter your outdoor living space ensures that each feature remains in top condition for a long time to come. It also aids in keeping your room warm and usable throughout the year.



Clear the debris from your deck or patio

Clear dirt and garbage from your deck and patio on a regular schedule during the fall so that leaves, twigs, and other seasonal leftovers aren't trapped by snow and ice until the spring thaw. Seasonal buildup of moist leaves and debris can damage hardwood decks and discolor stone or concrete surfaces. It's also a good idea to store outdoor furniture and pots for the winter. If you intend to use outdoor pots for winter greens, keep them away from hardwood decks and concrete patios. You can find out more about Winter Deck Preparations by reading this article.



Keep wooden structures safe

In a four-season climate, unpainted wood surfaces take a beating; preserve your wood structures in good condition by applying a protective waterproof sealer every fall. This consists of unpainted wooden pergolas, gazebos, and pavilions, as well as wooden decking, rails, steps, and built-in benches. Sealing wood outdoor furniture each fall is also a smart idea, especially if you are not planning to store it in a shed, garage, or basement.



Close your outdoor kitchen

Clean your outdoor kitchen completely before storing it for the winter. Cover the sink and built-in grill, but leave the refrigerator and icemaker exposed. After unplugging, emptying, and cleaning the fridge, leave it slightly open to dry. Leaving your outdoor refrigerator in this state until spring aids in mold prevention. Remember to turn off the main water line to your outdoor kitchen and drain all water lines from your refrigerator, icemaker, and sink.



Outdoor furniture should be stored or covered

Unless you want to use your outdoor furniture throughout the winter, store it in a shed, garage, or basement. If you do not intend to store it, you can protect it from the weather by using specific waterproof coverings. Clean outdoor cushions and pillows and store them alongside your outdoor furniture, or keep them in a waterproof outside box for easy access if you intend to continue using them. Simply don't leave them out when not in use.