As the weather changes, many of our clients ask what they can do to prepare their yards for cooler temperatures. Great question!
Today, we’re sharing our top 6 recommendations for keeping your outdoor spaces beautiful through the colder months—and protecting them for lots of use next spring.
1. Clear Patio of Leaves
Falling leaves can be beautiful, but when they sit in piles on your patio, leaves can lead to staining. Sure, those leafy silhouettes look cool at first, but when rain washes over fallen foliage, the tannins in the leaves are released, leaving behind visible traces. These marks are particularly noticeable on lighter-colored surfaces, much like how strong black tea can stain porcelain cups or tooth enamel with its tannin content.
As part of your cool-weather preparation plan, regularly sweep leaves from patios, walkways, driveways, and other hard surfaces to prevent discoloration.
Learn more about maintaining a winter-proof driveway
2. Trim Plants
Trimming plants makes them stronger and encourages flowering, and it also plays a crucial role in protecting them from the harsh effects of colder temperatures. Cutting plants back in the fall can mean beautiful growth next spring!
Different plants have different recommendations for cold-weather pruning, so do your research or get in touch if you’d like to talk to a landscape specialist. Here are some thoughts to get you started:
Maple, Birch, and Walnut Trees: Prune in late winter to early spring, before new growth begins. This timing minimizes sap loss and reduces stress on the trees.
Apple and Pear Trees: Late winter pruning helps establish a strong framework and promotes better fruit production.
Stone Fruits (e.g., Peach, Cherry): Prune in late winter to early spring. Focus on removing dead or damaged wood and thinning branches to allow light penetration.
Hydrangeas: For smooth hydrangeas, cut all stems to the ground in late winter. For bigleaf or oakleaf hydrangeas, prune after flowering but before new buds set.
Pine Trees: Prune in late winter to early spring, focusing on removing dead or damaged branches.
3. Burlap Trees and Shrubs
Burlap cloth does a great job keeping moisture in while protecting your plants from harsh winds and frost.
Arborvitae, boxwood, juniper, and other broadleaf evergreen shrubs can benefit from burlap covering during extreme cold.
4. Clean and Test Drains and Gutters
Falling leaves can also land in gutters and drains, making it hard for water and snowmelt to properly drain off of your house and away from your patio and landscaping.
Clearing the gutters and drains regularly will help prevent clogs and potential water damage in the months ahead.
5. Salt Smart
Many homeowners choose to use salt on hard outdoor surfaces to minimize ice and snow in walkways. However, some salts can be corrosive and damage the surface of your pavers in the long run. Here are some tips to avoid damage:
Less is more! When it comes to de-icing materials, use only as much as needed to do the job. This will maximize the benefits while minimizing damage to your concrete pavers and the surrounding environment.
Whenever possible, use rock salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) on concrete materials, as it is the least damaging. If you need a more effective de-icer, or one that acts more quickly, consider the judicial use of calcium chloride.
Never use magnesium chloride or CMA, as both can chemically degrade all types of concrete.
Remember, de-icing chemicals should not be used in place of snow removal, but rather for melting ice formed by freezing precipitation or freezing snow melt.
Protect vegetation and metal from contact with de-icing chemicals.
Avoid the use of sand on permeable interlocking concrete pavers.
Learn more: Choosing the Right Materials & Maintenance for Michigan Winters
6. Protect the Kitchen
When temps drop, cover grills, outdoor kitchens, and countertops with weather-resistant materials to shield them from the elements, and winterize gas and water lines. Clean and store cushions indoors, or invest in weatherproof covers to protect them.
For more great tips and inspiration, check out our gallery of our work, read more on the Decra-Scape blog, or catch up with us on Instagram.
