1-2-3 to a Winter-Ready Yard

The glory days of fall will soon be winding down. Head outside while the weather’s still glorious to prepare your yard for winter’s chill.

1. Put gardens to bed. It’s time to pull out summer annuals, cut back and divide perennials, and trim back overgrown shrubs and branches – especially those that hang over your roof. Add the cuttings to your compost pile to make nutrient-rich hummus that will kick-start your spring plantings. (And if you don’t have a compost pile, autumn is the perfect time to start. Fall leaves and grass clippings break down into wonderfully rich soil that will nourish your garden all summer.)


2. All hands on deck. If you store your outdoor furniture for the winter, wash it off and move it inside. Power wash decks and patios, and if needed, seal surfaces to protect them from ice and show.


3. Protect your pipes. Avoid frozen pipes by preparing outdoor spigots. Just turn on the outside faucet to let the water flow, then turn off the water supply at the individual shutoff valve inside. (The spigot shutoff is usually a lever-style valve in the basement, located near the main shutoff valve—just flip the valve to turn it on or off). If you don’t have a shut-off valve, a Frost King Faucet Protector will protect against frozen pipes. See how easy it is to install here.