10 Ways to Prepare Your Seattle Yard For Winter

It is officially autumn and we know winter isn’t far away. With all the fall activities, it is easy to get behind on what needs to be done outside to prepare for winter. Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest has some pretty mild winters, but there have been some storms in the recent past that have wreaked havoc on unsuspecting residents. You can take steps today and over the coming weeks to prepare the outdoors for winter weather. You will find everything you need at Greenwood Hardware.

1. Roll up all those hoses and store them in the shed or a patio storage box for the winter. Make sure to drain the hoses completely by starting at one end and lifting the hose over your head and walking the full length.
2. Apply a fall slow-release fertilizer to the lawn. This helps slow the growth of the grass while giving it a chance to germinate and develop a nice strong root system.
3. Apply an herbicide to the lawn if you desire. Make sure you take precautions before applying any chemicals to your lawn if you have pets that will be frequenting the area.
4. Remove old foliage and properly dispose or add it to your compost bin. When the leaves start to fall, rake them up before they have time to become soaked by the rain.
5. If you have tropical plants, wrap them or bring them indoors. Roses need to be pruned and readied for the dormant period throughout winter.
6. Planting bulbs like crocus, daffodil and tulips is a fall project. Go ahead and plant the bulbs and prepare for a burst of color next spring!
7. Consider starting a cool-weather garden filled with things like kale, lettuce, carrot and broccoli. Now is a good time to plant garlic for next spring as well.
8. Reseed bare spots in the lawn and top with a straw covering to keep birds from eating the seed.
9. Use tree wrap to wrap young trees and fruit trees to avoid sun scald.
10. Clean out the gutters often to avoid falling leaves from clogging them up.

Taking care of your lawn and garden in the fall ensures you will have a healthy lawn with little to no bare spots and limited weed growth. By adding compost to your garden beds in the fall, you are adding nutrients to the soil that will make it nice and fertile for next year’s growing season. Don’t be afraid to plant some outside plants that will add some color to your winter landscaping. If you have questions, we are here for you. Come on in, or contact us online. You can find everything you need at Greenwood Hardware. Head on in to see us today!