Winter is just around the corner, and while the weather might soon be frightful, there’s plenty of time to make your yard delightful. Taking care of your backyard before winter hits is important to getting your yard set up to thrive in the spring, especially if you’re planning on starting a garden. Use these tips as a starting point to fix up your backyard in time for the start of winter weather.
Fix Up Your Shed
Many homes will have a garden shed or garage as part of their yard, and this space can be incredibly useful. However, just like any other fixture in your home, it’s going to require maintenance if you want it to last long. A wooden shed should last at least 15 to 20 years, but it could begin to show signs of age before then if you don’t care for it properly. Be especially careful about your shed’s roof, as this tends to wear down fairly quickly. A typical metal roof will last about three to seven times longer than a typical asphalt shingles roof, so it may be worth looking into for your yard’s shed.
Prepare Your Patio
If you have a porch or patio, you’ll need to get it ready for the oncoming winter weather. While most patios and decks are built to withstand harsh weather, a bit of extra weather-proofing never hurt anyone before a big winter storm. Make sure any stain or surface-treatment options you use for your patio are weatherproof and ready to withstand low temperatures and high humidity. The better you care for your patio or deck now, the longer it’ll last without major repairs.
Check On Overhanging Roofs
If you’ve got a patio or deck, it’s not just the floor material itself you have to worry about. Be sure to look up when you’re working on repairs for your deck or patio – any roof overhang should also be maintained and taken care of. Your roofing can make a surprisingly huge difference for your home, including on your home costs. Simply choosing the right roofing material could result in as much as a 30% decrease in your home’s energy needs. While you’re tackling deck and patio maintenance, take a look at your roof too to make sure it’s in good condition for when snowstorms hit.
Watch Water Usage
While you might not be too concerned about watering your plants in the winter, you should still pay attention to your backyard hoses and water systems. Without the right preparation, your hoses and pipes could freeze, damaging your home’s plumbing. Shorter hoses are generally more efficient for backyards and will reduce the risk of damage due to freezing plumbing. For green landscaping, it is often best to use a soaker hose no more than 100 feet long. Additionally, make sure you shut off any automatic sprinkler systems you have in your yard before the temperatures drop below freezing. Otherwise, you’ll likely have issues with freezing or even burst pipes.
There are only a few weeks left of fall, but that’s still plenty of time to protect your yard against winter weather issues and damage. Use these steps as a starting point for taking care of your yard in the coming weeks. What maintenance tips would you give to other homeowners? What do you still need to take care of before the first major winter storms hit?
