Winter isn't the best time of the year for most people and fewer activities are expected especially with harsh weather conditions and high cold temperatures. However, you can be at peace throughout Winter if the right preparations are undertaken during the Autumn.

There may well be a slowing down of activities like leaves falling and less mowing but the  garden still beckons to be maintained. Great benefits emerge when you learn to prepare for winter during the fall.

Preparing for Winter

Autumn is the ideal season to work on garden maintenance and cleaning up to make spring more welcome. There are various activities which should be undertaken before Winter sets in. Those who exercise these tips in preparing their yard for winter stand to gain, both saving time and money.

Tip 1 – Clearing the Leaves

Nice spring grass does not happen automatically overnight without the right effort during the autumn and winter. Fallen leaves need to be cleared properly to prepare the ground for fresh green grass in spring. This is also true of the Patio and deck which are common ‘victim’ spots for falling leaves.

Fallen leaves on these areas cause slippery surfaces during the winter with the snow and icy weather. Fallen leaves on a patio or deck could discolour the beautiful wooden finish and change the patio surface to be stained and uneven. A leaf blower is an effective tool to round up all the leaves for a quick shoveling into the bag.

Fallen leaves gathered can also be shred to become fertilizer for the spring grass or as compost for other plants in the garden- the choice, as they say, is yours!

Tip 2 – Prepare Perennials

Another activity before winter is the trimming of plants in preparation for cold weather. This would be a more challenging activity during winter than in autumn. A prudent gardener wil  remove annuals with a trimming of most perennials right to the ground for the coming of winter.

However, rose plants and shrubs need not be trimmed low unlike sunflowers and clematis. Trimmed perennials should be covered with mulch for winter survival. Rose plants require only pruning with extra mulch around their roots for better survival of winter temperatures.

Tip 3 – Care for Patio Furniture

It is unlikely that the patio will be frequently used in winter, hence, you'll want to clean out the patio and store seat cushions during winter to be reused next year.

Leaving them outside during winter encourages the gathering of dirt and dust into the fabric fibres which makes cleaning a chore. Harsh winters can damage cushions left out on patio furniture which should be covered and protected. Potted plants should also be taken inside during the winter to ensure higher survival rates of blooming in spring.

Tip 4 – Cleaning Up the Yard

The rest of the yard needs to be tidied up before the first frosts or snow falls. This includes broken branches, dropped twigs and tree limbs which can prove dangerous to passers-by. These could be gathered as wood for the fireplace or tucked at a safe corner before collection.

Rubbish can be collected and disposed of appropriately without taking a permanent spot in the yard which can deface the overall beauty of the environment.

Tip 5 – Tool Store Clean Up

Garden tools are less likely to be in operation during winter, so it's wise to clean them before putting them away safely in the store. Cleaned tools would work much better after winter without the coldness hardening the grim and dirty spots on the parts which make cleaning during spring a dreaded chore.

Tool cleaning activities include winterizing the lawnmower with a good clean up. The mower should be emptied of any gas or liquid before storing with cleaned blades which are dried to prevent rusting. This is the right time to replace any filters in the mower to keep the tool in good working condition.

Hand tools could be placed in buckets of sand which could be stored in the shed to keep them dry and free from dust and rust. The same cleaning should be executed on your chain saw and hedge trimmer if you own them.

Conclusion

These are just 5 simple steps which you as a diligent homeowner could exercise to keep your garden in tiptop condition while maintaining the market value of your home and tools.

If you follow these steps your whole garden will look inviting from the inside with a serenity that allows you and your guests to enjoy the outside ready for winter. And more importantly of course, a prepared yard ticks over into an easy spring without much fuss.