Winter is on my head, but spring is always on my heart. –Victor Hugo
If you’re like us, you may be a bit blue knowing the outdoor season is drawing to a close.
Take heart though, Spring always comes again! Get ready for it now by winterizing your patio to protect all of the hard work and money you’ve invested. You’ll thank yourself come March!
The most important part of winterizing your patio is cleaning off debris. Leaves and branches left to sit over the winter accumulate moisture and cause surface stains. Use a broom or leaf blower to clear everything away.
If your patio is concrete, or made with concrete pavers it can stain easily if metal furniture is left on it over the winter. If there is no place to store the furniture other than the patio, use outdoor furniture tips to cap the legs.
Brick and stone pavers stand to benefit from fall weeding to avoid being displaced by growth in the spring. Pull weeds, moss, and grass, and finish off with a weed killer spray. This is also the time to replace cracked, chipped or missing pavers. Complete the job with a finishing sealant to keep moisture out.
Storage space is typically at a premium, so here’s what should be put inside and what can weather the winter outdoors.
Bring Inside
Hoses
Hoses should be stored in a space where the temperature stays above freezing to prevent cracks and leaks. Prevent mold by making sure they are completely dry before storing.
Tools
Store tools with wooden handles where it’s dry to prevent cracks caused by ice that expands and breaks down the wood.
Furniture cushions
If needed, use a mild detergent and a soft brush to clean off grime. Even if you skip that step, you should lay them out in the sun to kill mildew before storing them away. Once they’re clean and dry, store them in plastic bags in a dry location.
Umbrellas
Extend the life of your umbrella’s structure and fabric by storing your umbrella inside away from wind and moisture. If possible, unfurl it beforehand for exposure to the sun to ensure its dry and mildew is dead before it’s wrapped and stowed.
Wicker, aluminum, and fabric furniture
These three varieties are susceptible to damage from cold, wind, and moisture. Store them inside, or at least protect them with waterproof covers secured to the legs.
Can Stay Outside
Propane tanks
Even if you store your gas grill inside, the propane tank should never go with it. Store all propane outside. Winterizing propane simply means making sure it’s shut off.
Flower pots
You can store them outside after emptying them into your compost heap. Keep them upside down to prevent standing water.
Plastic and teak furniture
Lawn furniture made of plastic or genuine teak wood is about the most hardy you can buy. There’s no need to pull it inside, but you might collect it and stow it against the house so it doesn’t blow over in the winter wind.
Blankets For Winter
If you aerated and overseeded your lawn this fall or if your property has a lot of water runoff, consider protecting it from soil erosion by putting down a straw blanket. Straw blankets are just what they sound like, long, wide rolls of straw that are laid over your lawn to keep the soil in place.
We carry a selection of straw blankets and can deliver them to you! Give us a call with the length and width of your yard and we can figure out how much your lawn will need.