Getting out in your garden or yard in the winter is something that is pretty rare but sometimes we can have days in the 50’s and thats time to make sure everything is doing ok.
Because this is not growing season the need to fertilize or cut grass is not something that should be on your list but there are a few things that you can take care of in your yard that are pretty important.
Water drainage is important and if you see a small pond forming anywhere you should see if there is a way to get it to runoff on to the street if you have a small lot or into a harmless area if you have a few acres. This is one reason that raised beds are beneficial in your garden and that you mound your topsoil in the fall so runoff won’t rob your soil of nutrients.
If you have flower beds around your home you want to make sure that they drain well and away from your foundation.
Inspect your downspouts for any repairs you may need to make and if you find pooling around your downspouts you can add extensions to route the water away from your home.
Check on the mulch around the base of your bushes and be more attentive to new plantings. Although its not necessary to run out and try to purchase mulch if you see mounds of it being blown onto your grass it only takes a couple minutes to rake it up and place it back in the bed. Don’t worry about any random grass or leaves that may be collected they will deteriorate long before spring.
On days that are cold but no actual snow is coming down you may want to use your snow blower to cut a route around your home to your back door. This is important in areas that see a couple feet of snow and it will allow you proper egress. If your Utility Meters are blocked you want to make sure that they are accessible.
Remove snow around your HVAC vents to allow proper air flow for heating and if you have an external Air Conditioning unit you can remove the snow and cover the top with plastic drop cloth.
Check for snow buildup around your Dryer vent and remove it if necessary.
Inspect your trees and bushes for any damage due to snow loads. Even without leaves the branches can collect a lot of snow and ice which can weigh tons. This will cause weak trees to fail and may mean damage to your home.
If you see any exposed white areas on the trunk where you can see the inside of the tree through the bark that means you have damage. Also you should know your trees well enough that you can tell if a branch is hanging strange. Don’t go directly under it but use binoculars if you have any to get a closer look. This is very important if you have been hit by an ice storm.
What you can do in the winter to take care of your property is somewhat limited but if you have a nice day you should get out and take a look. And also notice any problems on your neighbors property that may end up causing you problems.
For the most part you are trying to improve the situation so your plants have an easier winter.
Remove heavy amounts of snow from your evergreens, inspect the branches of your tall trees and if you have water buildup find a way to get rid of it.. you don’t want a flood in your basement.