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Taking the time now to prep your lawn and garden for winter will ensure a beautiful start to spring. It may seem hard to believe that frosty weather is right around the corner. The host of rain and colder temps we’ve been experiencing lately trick us into thinking it’s already here. But there are sunny and warmer days ahead! Take advantage of the few 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 a 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. Find irrigation resources for Rain Bird ESP TM2 and Rain Bird ESP ME here as well as more information on how to winterize your system.

• Drain garden hoses and store them 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 them if needed. Clean off grass and grime on power equipment. Remove blades and sharpen them 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 lovely day here and there to check these things off your list before your landscape settles down for its long winter’s nap.

Want help designing a new landscape for Spring or installing an irrigation system? Give us a call at (512) 260-1430 to schedule your FREE in-person consultation.