Taking the time now to prep your lawn and garden for winter will ensure a beautiful start to the spring. It may seem hard to believe that frosty weather is right around the corner. The unseasonably warm temps we’ve been experiencing lately trick us into believing it’s never going to happen. But it’s coming! Take advantage of the nice days we have left to get working on the must-do list we’ve put together to get your lawn and garden ready for what Mother Nature has in store.
In this final part of our three-part fall prep series, we’re giving you the details on cleaning, covering and winterizing.
- Leaving soil in pots over the winter can cause them to crack. Remove
it from your pots and scrub them clean with a water and bleach solution – nine parts water to one part bleach. Store in a protected area. Empty water cans and place where they can’t collect rainwater. - Water features need some attention. Drain smaller water features such as fountains and store the pump in the garage or shed. Turn off your irrigation system, and set automatic timers to the off mode. Arrange to have the lines blown out to prevent them from freezing and damaging your system.
- Drain garden hoses and store inside for the winter. Freezing water can cause damage and create leaks. Thoroughly rinse out grass seed and fertilizer spreaders.
- Garden tools will last longer if you take good care of them. Wash off dirt and grime. Use linseed oil on wooden handles to prevent cracking. Sharpen blades on shovels, hedge trimmers, and pruning tools.
- Empty the gas tank in your lawn mower and trimmer. Give your mower an oil change. Check air filters, and spark plugs, replacing if needed. Clean off grass and grime on power equipment. Remove blades and sharpen for a fresh start in the spring.
As you can see, there is a lot of work to be done to get ready for the frosty temperatures heading our way in the not-so-distant future. Take advantage of a nice day here and there to check these things off your list before your landscape settles down for its long winter’s nap.
Need some help? We have only a couple of spots open for our fall clean-up services. Contact us for a quote today!