While Maryland hasn’t seen the first snowstorm of the year yet, it’s undoubtedly right around the corner. Winter storms are beautiful to look at, but they can wreak havoc on your landscape. The grass on your lawn takes a beating between sleet, snow and ice, and a lack of preparation could prevent your lawn from growing back lush in the spring.
Get Your Supplies Ready
Gather all of your tools before the first snowstorm hits. If you have a snow blower hidden in your garage, now is the time to pull it out and test it. You should also make sure that you have sturdy, lightweight shovels ready to scoop out snow from hard-to-reach places. If you can, look for a shovel with an adjustable handle to make it easier on your knees and back. Before the first snowstorm, you should have rock salt on hand to prevent ice from forming. Ice melt is another choice that won’t do damage to your lawn.
Check Your Leaves
If you didn’t do a thorough job raking up your leaves at the end of the fall, this is your last chance to clean things up. Too much leaf litter will damage the grass on your lawn, particularly once it freezes. If you have a small amount of litter on your lawn to insulate the grass, you should chop the leaves well to add nutrients without doing damage.
Once you’re done checking your yard for leaves, you should check your gutters. Remove any debris or leaves that are clogging up your gutters. If there is any damage to your gutters, have it repaired as quickly as possible. Ice can build up in your gutters during a snowstorm and seriously damage your property.
Protect Your Furniture
Do you still have outdoor patio furniture outdoors? If you have the space to store it in your garage, you should move it before a snowstorm. If you can’t move it, you should cover each item with a waterproof cover. Wood furniture and metal furniture can be damaged during the freeze-thaw cycle, and taking a little extra care can ensure your furniture lasts a long time.