Before you start decorating for Halloween and begin planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are a few more pressing things to consider when it comes to preparing for the winter season. For example, have you thought about whether your yard is ready to withstand colder temperatures this winter? There are many tasks you need to take care of regarding your garden, lawn and travertine paver paths. Here are several ways to get your home prepared.
Take care of the grass
To ensure that your lawn is lush and green come spring, there are a few things you need to do to prepare it for a season spent beneath layers of snow or ice. First, DIY Network recommended fertilizing the lawn, being sure to follow the directions and amounts suggested on the label. This will give the grass everything it needs to thrive next spring. Next, give the grass' roots some air by aerating your lawn. Finally, fill in any bare patches with seed and be sure that your lawn gets plenty of water before it gets too cold.
Clear debris
Fall can be very windy, and that, coupled with the amount of leaves falling from the trees, can make for a big mess in your yard. It's in your best interest to clear your lawn, garden, travertine paths, decks and porches of debris before winter sets in. This way, the leaves and twigs won't cause problems, like rotting your deck, staining your natural stone pavers or suffocating your grass. You should also remove any dead foliage and stems from your garden once your flowers and plants have withered.
Fix up your pavers
Now's a good time to take care of any issues that may have arisen with your travertine pavers over the summer, like cracks or other damage due to wear and tear. Whether it's your driveway or a garden path that needs a replacement or two, it's smart to repair these areas before it gets cold and the issues become worse.
Shut off the water system
If you have a sprinkler system or a few garden hoses attached to your house, you'll want to shut these off and put all accessories away before the first frost sets in. When it gets cold, water in the pipes can freeze, which may cause them to burst. Water left in hoses can also cause the hose to become damaged, and frozen spigots can cause flooding in your home.
Set up your garden
Fall is a good time to make transplants and plant bulbs that will start growing in the spring. If you want to revamp your garden and make sure it comes back looking gorgeous in the warmer weather, spend a weekend afternoon setting your plants up for success. Mulch and other insulators can help ensure that the plants won't be damaged by the cold weather.
Close down the pool
If you have a pool with patio pavers surrounding it, you'll want to make sure that this area is properly prepared to handle winter weather. Close down the pool by ensuring that it's clean and chemically balanced before covering it, and remove any patio furniture and equipment from the surrounding area.
