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5 Things You Need to Do to Prepare Your Yard For Winter

Prepare yard for winter

When fall arrives, it’s time to start thinking about winter and how it will impact your yard. Several elements of your yard either need to be winterized or could strongly benefit from a few preparatory steps before the frost hits. You can help ensure the life of plants and extend the life of hardscaping elements if you follow these steps to prepare your yard for winter. 

1. Keep Grass Long and Stop Fertilizing 

The last time you cut your grass should be well before winter. Leave it at 2.5 inches at a minimum, and also leave the grass clippings on the soil. The length helps the grass collect enough nutrients for winter. In addition, the grass clippings will have a chance to decompose over the winter and provide nitrogen in the spring. Also, stop fertilizing to stop promoting the growth of the grass over the winter; it needs to rest. If you want, you can use winter lawn fertilizer, which does not promote lawn growth. 

2. Consider Aeration 

Aeration is a smart thing to consider for lawns in the fall. Aeration involves punching small holes in the lawn to remove thatch and create paths for vital nutrients and beneficial organisms. The lawn fills the holes over time and seeing as it will be winter soon, you probably won’t be walking much on the soil until it has recovered. 

3. Rake Up Your Lawn 

If aeration is not an option for you, you can get many of the same benefits from raking. First, rake to pull up the thatch and collect large chunks of debris such as leaves. If you can mulch the leaves until they are small enough to fit between grass shoots, you can return them to the lawn, where they can provide nutrients. 

4. Store or Cover Patio Furniture 

Most patio furniture should be moved into a shed or covered area, but it may also need other care. That largely depends on what it is made from. 

  • Plastic: Plastic lawn furniture should be hosed off to clean it up. It also needs to come inside, or it may become brittle. 
  • Fabric: Vacuum the fabric or put it in the washing machine if it can be removed. Fabrics should be stored indoors during the winter. 
  • Woods: Most wood furniture needs to be brought inside for winter. Wicker is one exception, but things like rattan and teak must be placed inside. Some woods, including teak, can also be oiled to help with longevity. 

5. Consider Sealing Patios 

You don’t need to seal your patio every year, but maybe this is the year. Sealing your patio ensures that the pavers can continue to drain properly and repel water from their surface. It also allows you to clean off the pavers and restore them to their natural beauty. 

MPS Property Services offers many residential services that can help build your outdoor living space. Contact us today. 

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