Preparing Your Outdoor Space For The Winter Season

I am convinced that prepping for the long days of winter can be just as exciting as the first warm breeze of spring. All this month, I want to share what has been on my heart, as well as what has been my routine to tackle even the longest, coldest days of winter.

Today, it’s all about prepping the outside of your home BEFORE the snow finally comes. As November came, we started to think about what needed to be winterized around the home, as well as what needed to be moved out of storage, and vice versa. Making a to do list can be very effective. It can feel overwhelming in our attempt to remember it all. Having a list puts you and your spouse on the same page with things that need to get done.

Brett handles the vehicles, the heavy lifting, and the shed organization. I, on the other hand, manage all the toys that need to be put away, organize/consolidate, and do a good yard cleaning (rake leaves, prune shrubs, etc). Doing the cleanup of toys and the yard just makes things feel less overwhelming in the spring. It’s a must! 

For your vehicles, ensure that the oil is changed, snow tires are on (if you choose to do winter tires), and snow brushes, ice scraper is in a set place in your vehicle. I like to add an emergency tote in my car; it includes extra winter hats, gloves, and blankets just Incase we happen to be stuck on the side of the road until help arrived. 

Evaluate your garage space. For Brett and I, we have very limited space in our garage. Because of this, we utilize our shed to store off season tools. Rakes and garden tools get replaced with shovels and sleds. Put the summer sandals away in storage and replace it with only shoes you and your family will wear through the winter. A couple of years ago, I purchased large wire baskets from Target for each individuals shoes. We don’t exceed those baskets. If we do, we sort through and evaluate if we wear the shoes , and if it’s time to thrift some. 

Look at your landscaping. Do you need covers for new shrubs or trees? This past year we planted shrubs and trees along our property line for privacy. Out of caution with snow removal, we built wood A-frame shrub protectors. We were able to take our time doing so because we started in advance. Don’t wait until the snow finally comes, it will just add stress to your day.  Finally, put up the plow sticks around your property to deter damage to your lawn and to help you navigate your snowblower when there is accumulating snow. We also recommend purchasing salt in advance for your walkways and driveway.

Throw out all the broken toys. It’s not worth cluttering your storage with toys that are of no use anymore. I love using totes to store things. Actually, the totes I found for the kids toys were treasures I found on the side of the road one early morning during a run. You don’t have to invest a lot of money into organizing the outside of your home, but a little time and effort really goes a long way. 

Don’t forget about your precious pets! I suggest purchasing a non-freezing dog bowl at Tractor Supply for outside use. It simply plugs into your outlet outside. There are times when we are gone for an extended time and we leave our dog outside. Having water at all times to regulate their body temperature is all they need to stay warm and safe.

Dry out the patio cushions and put them away, they’ll look great for several seasons if you take the time to winterize them. Put the cover on the grill, it’ll keep it from rusting. Detach the hoses, it’ll give them longevity for more seasons in the future. Take the time to care for the little things around the house. It will save you money in the future. 

Lastly, get those lights up for the holiday season on a nice mild winter day. No one wants to add freezing temperatures and windy conditions to the “joyful” process of hanging lights (haha). 

There is a great deal of satisfaction in winterizing the outside of your home. It adds to the peace and security you feel when you think of your home as a place of comfort and warmth during the winter months. We would encourage everyone to be diligent in this area. Take care of these tasks now so that you don’t find yourself outside in frigid temperatures or spending excess money on things that you otherwise wouldn’t need to spend money on.