Winter Is Coming......

It's that time of year..... sweaters and hot cocoa, walk in the woods, hot apple cider, the beauty of the trees foliage, apple pie, fireplaces, falling leaves and a chill in the air, crisp apples and pumpkins. Flannel shirts or hoodies, sleeping with the windows open... all the most amazing things of fall and there comes the not so amazing things of fall.... cleaning up and doing that awfully dreaded word..... winterizing.

Let us help you with an easy list of things you can do to transform your outdoor space into a winter wonderland! 

With these essential tips to protect your investments and enjoy the upcoming holiday season.

Because sadly, cold weather is just around the corner! 

Winterizing Your Pool and Water Features

We have built a lot of pools, and water features here at Outdoor Innovations Landscaping, we want to make sure that you protect your investment through the cold weather season so that you continue to use them for years to come.

Therefore, winterizing is key to ensuring that your pool and water features are safe and ready to use without any issues come spring.

Closing down your pool is a crucial step in preparing for winter. Start by thoroughly cleaning the pool, removing all debris, and balancing the water chemistry. Lower the water level and add winterizing chemicals to prevent algae growth. Cover the pool securely to keep out debris and protect it from harsh weather conditions.

For water features such as fountains or ponds, ensure they are drained and properly cleaned. Remove any pumps and store them indoors to prevent freezing and damage. If you have a pond with fish, consider installing a pond heater to maintain a safe environment for aquatic life.

Prepping Your Garden and Lawn for Winter

Begin by raking up fallen leaves and clearing away dead plants and debris from your garden beds. This helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering. Trim perennials and mulch around plants to insulate roots and retain moisture.

If you have rose bushes, these take extra care. You will want to enclose your rose bushes with a sturdy cylinder of chicken wire or mesh and fill the enclosure with compost, chopped leaves, mulch, dry wood chips or pine needles. 

Aerate your lawn to improve soil drainage and apply a winter fertilizer to encourage root growth. Consider planting cover crops to protect and enrich the soil over the winter months.

If you have an irrigation system, you will want to turn off your water. You will need to get all of the water out of your irrigation system with an air compressor, we recommend hiring a service to do this. If you need help getting your irrigation system blown out, please contact us and we can help you Also, remember to disconnect all of your outside hoses, make sure the water spigot is turned off and store your hoses for the winter to avoid any water inside of them freezing and expanding, breaking your hoses.

Protecting Outdoor Furniture and Décor

Clean and store outdoor furniture to extend its life. If storing indoors is not an option, invest in high-quality covers that can withstand winter conditions. Remove and store cushions and fabric items to prevent mold and mildew.

We recommend taking any cushions off of your furniture and storing them inside if possible. If not we recommend using a scented garbage bag and fill with a few dryer sheets and your cushions. The scent from the bag and dryer sheets will deter any pests from trying to make a home in your cushions.

For outdoor décor, ensure that fragile items are either brought inside or securely covered. This will help protect them from freezing temperatures and potential damage from snow and ice.

Maintaining Walkways and Driveways

Inspect walkways and driveways for cracks and repair any damage to prevent water from seeping in and causing further issues during freeze-thaw cycles. Apply a sealant to protect surfaces from snow and ice.

Stock up on ice melt and keep a snow shovel or snow blower handy for clearing pathways. Consider installing heated mats on walkways to prevent ice buildup and ensure safe passage

Outdoor Heating Solutions for Winter Comfort

Extend the use of your outdoor space by adding heating solutions such as patio heaters, fire pits, or outdoor fireplaces. These options provide warmth and create a cozy atmosphere for winter gatherings.

Ensure that any heating equipment is properly maintained and stored when not in use. Follow safety guidelines to prevent accidents and enjoy your outdoor space comfortably throughout the colder months.

If you are interested in installing an outdoor fireplace, we have many option for you that you can use all year long. Contact us today so that we can get your fire feature designed, and installed for you before winter. There are many options for fire features. Our designers at Outdoor Innovations Landscaping will help you find the perfect feature that best serves you and your family.

Septic System Preparation for Winter

Always keep your septic system well maintained; a well-maintained septic system
is better able to withstand the stresses of winter weather. If you live in an area that
commonly experiences winter weather, take these steps to protect your septic system.

• Check for and repair any leaking plumbing fixtures. Small trickles of water can
  freeze within the pipe and eventually cause the pipe to freeze solid.
• Let the grass in your lawn get longer in the late summer/fall over the tank and
  soil treatment area to provide extra insulation.
• Consider wrapping your pipes with heat tape if you have high-efficiency
  appliances that generate small amounts of water.
• Make sure the land around the manhole covers is sloped downwards so that
  snow melt flows away from the system
• Avoid compacting the soil around the system. Compacted soil provides less
  insulation than uncompact soil. Never allow vehicle traffic or livestock above the
  tanks or on the drain field.
• Check with a septic system service professional before doing any landscaping
  to make sure that your system complies with freezing depths for the area.
• Consider adding more insulation to the system if your system is new, you
  have had issues with freezing in the past, or you have a mound system. Options
  include installing insulated pipes, adding insulation to tanks or manhole covers, or
  placing a layer of mulch (8-12 inches) over the pipes, tank and drain field. This mulch
  could be hay, straw, or any other loose material. Contact us if you need more information. 

If you have any septic system issues, Outdoor Innovations also does Septic System Installation, contact us if you need any septic solutions.

Decorate For The Holidays Early

The holidays are coming and the countdown to Christmas has begun for many.

If you love putting outdoor lights on your house for the Holiday Season, consider installing the lighting before the snow starts coming down!

That way when the time is right, you can turn your lights on without having to freeze your fingers off!

If you get LED lights that have Wi-Fi capability you can change the lights all year long for whatever holiday or season it may be! 

We have many light solutions for exterior lighting. Contact a designer today that can help you find the perfect exterior lighting whether it be light fixtures or lighting around your home.

As fall is now in full gear, please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your exterior features and landscaping. 

Planning Ahead For Future Projects

If you are interested in getting a pool, retaining wall, water features, fire features, patio, pole barn or any exterior project you want to accomplish. Now is the time to get started on planning for next season. Contact us to have a designer come out and help you draw up your plans. That way throughout the winter we can perfect your plan and be ready to break ground come Spring of 2025.

Call Outdoor Innovations Landscaping at

651-983-1976 to get on our schedule for Spring 2025!!!