Prior to Winter
Rake and Mow Leaves
You should always rake leaves from the yard before they're covered by snow. Heavy, wet leaves can cause the grass to suffocate. When there are only a few leaves, you could mow them into smaller pieces, which can be used by the yard for extra nutrients through the winter.
Put Furniture and Toys Up for the Winter
Before the first snowfall, you should remove all the outdoor furniture and kid's toys. The snow will cause the items to become heavy, which will put pressure on the lawn. By the time the snow melts, you'll have a …show more content…
Snow will be deflected to the sides, and the branches won't get weighted down with heavy snow.
The First Snowfall
Snow Removal
For the most part, snow is a great insulator. It'll protect your shrubs, plants and grass, and when it melts, it provides the yard with plenty of water. Heavy snow can become a problem especially if it's snow cover that is made from snow removal in other parts of the yard. When you remove snow from your driveway, you want to be incredibly careful about where the snow is thrown. Much of the damage caused by snow is done by snow that's been displaced from somewhere else. It becomes dense and takes longer to melt.
Ice and Snow on Shrubs
While it might be tempting to remove ice from shrubs, you shouldn't because it could break the branches. If there's a light dusting of snow, you can remove it with a broom. Sweep upward to avoid putting pressure on bent branches. Every few inches should be removed before it accumulates.
Salt and Your