Many sunny, temperate days remain—no one is rushing fall away. But as the days go on, cooler weather will return.
Now is the perfect time to prepare your yard and protect your outdoor environment for the harsher weather ahead. This includes your lawn and garden, power equipment, patio furniture, and any other items sensitive to the cold.
We spoke to Lorraine from Heritage Home Hardware, who shared her top care and maintenance tips. Following her advice will help your yard and gear survive the winter so it is ready for spring.
Outdoor winter storage
Start with your outdoor shed or storage boxes. Are there any holes or cracks to repair? Your first step should be fixing them. You need a sound, waterproof shell to keep rodents out and stop rain and snow from damaging the contents. You also want to keep fertilizers, seeds, and other lawn and garden products dry and ready for use.
If the repairs are too difficult or you need more storage, consider getting a new shed and new deck boxes.
Outdoor furniture
Clean your outdoor furniture, let it dry, and cover it well. It’s best stored in an outdoor shed, garage, or basement, but not everyone has the space. Use quality chair and table covers to protect your furniture from the elements.
Protect your tools
Safeguard and properly store your lawn and garden tools in the off-season. They served you well all summer, so protect them with these tips before you depend on them again in the spring.
Lawn mower
Check under your lawn mower deck and clean any caked-on grass clippings. Use a stiff brush to loosen debris. Also, inspect the machine’s
cutting blades should be sharpened or replaced if necessary.
Grass trimmer
Do the same for your lawn trimmer by cleaning out the area under its deck. Check the trimmer line and replace it if necessary.
Chainsaws and hedge trimmers
Thoroughly cleaning your chainsaw’s chain will greatly benefit it. To do this, mix a cup of ammonia into a gallon of water and soak the chain for 15 minutes. Wear protective gloves, then use a small-headed brush to scrub it.
Easily clean hedge trimmer blades with soapy water and a cloth.
Spades, rakes, and hand tools
Before storing your lawn tools and garden tools, hose them down, scrub off debris, and dry them to keep them in top condition.
Walkways and paths
Inspect the walkways and paths around your home. Look for cracks and weeds. Pull them out and reseal the areas to prevent rain and snow moisture from worsening the damage.
Lorraine advises that paving stones differ from concrete and require different treatment.
Concrete
To maintain a concrete patio, use a pressure washer to clean out any cracks. Allow it to dry before filling the cracks with concrete crack filler and a stiff brush. It’s easy—just fill the crack, then smooth the surface with a putty knife.
Pavers
Over time, maintenance is needed on the expansion joints between pavers. During installation, they lay down a felt-like material, which can break down. You can replace it by filling the joints with foam window insulation and topping that with liquid tar. Both the foam and tar joints are flexible and can withstand wintry conditions.
Clean your gutters
Gutters don’t just collect leaves; they can grow weeds from wind-blown seeds. If your drainpipes are blocked, they can freeze and rupture, which is costly to repair.
Clean your gutters thoroughly. You’ll need a sturdy extension ladder, a pressure washer with an extension hose, and maybe a portable drill for any loose joints. If you’re uncomfortable working at that height, call a professional gutter cleaner.
Prepping your deck
Don’t forget to maintain your deck regularly to extend its life. Start by inspecting the foundation, attachment points to your home, and board condition. Replace any rotted boards and popped or rusty screws. Sweep thoroughly, then power wash.
Finally, apply a coat of weatherproofing stain to refresh it and protect it through the winter.
Outdoor water features
Water features like swimming pools, fish ponds, fountains, and bird baths require special winter care.
Swimming pools
Closing a swimming pool for winter requires several steps. After cleaning, lower the water level and cover it with a durable, custom-fit canopy. A variety of pool maintenance products can help.
Fish ponds
Can fish survive in your pond over winter? It depends on the water depth. If your pond is shallow, many owners bring their fish inside to live in a glass tank.
Bird baths
Bird baths should be drained and dried. To provide water throughout winter, buy one with a heat attachment or a bird bath de-icer.
Exposed faucets
Before winter, turn on your outdoor faucets, drain them, and turn off the indoor supply lines. Check your hoses and sprinklers for wear, and bring them inside to avoid cracking in freezing temperatures.
Check outdoor lighting
Check all outdoor lighting fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs before cold weather arrives. Don’t replace outdoor lights during freezing temperatures as it’s not safe.
Outdoor cooking stations
Before covering your outdoor fire pit or fireplace for winter, clean it. Remove ashes and debris. If you use your barbecue in winter, move it closer to the house for easy access.
Closing your outdoor space for the season is a big job with many tasks, so enlist help and get the whole family involved.
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