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The air is getting crisp, the leaves are putting on their final, glorious show, and the siren song of the cozy couch is getting louder every day. It's incredibly tempting to look at your beautiful summer garden, give it a little wave, and say "see you in the spring!" But a little bit of tough love now will save you from a world of horticultural heartbreak later.

Winter is coming, and it can be a real jerk to the unprepared. Think of this as your official checklist for tucking your entire yard into a cozy bed for its long winter nap. A little prep work now is the secret to ensuring it all wakes up happy, healthy, and ready to thrive come springtime.

#1

Prevent The Very Expensive And Very Wet Disaster Of A Burst Pipe By Putting A Cozy Little Winter Hat On Your Outdoor Spigots With These Outdoor Faucet Covers

Garden faucet wrapped in protective cover to prevent freezing damage before the first freeze in garden maintenance tasks.

Review: "This 2-pack of faucet covers features thick, multi-layer insulation that effectively seals off the spigot and pipe from freezing air. Their generous size fits easily over standard and larger hose bibs. Installation is simple: an adjustable drawstring and hook-and-loop strap cinch the cover tightly against the wall, creating a secure, draft-free seal. I'm very pleased with the quality and ease of use." - Deb

amazon.com , Deb Report

keyboardtek
Community Member
4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Safer to replace any old spigots with a freeze proof design.

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    #2

    Completely Refuse To Accept That The Growing Season Is Over By Moving The Whole Operation Into An Outdoor Greenhouse

    Green portable garden greenhouse with potted plants inside, preparing garden for the first freeze season.

    Review: "I love love love my new greenhouse! I have been getting wild animals lately in my yard, knocking over my pots and breaking them. This greenhouse is prefect for my plants because it is small enough to fit in my backyard, but big enough and have lots of shelves. One thing to note is there wasn’t instructions that came with my package, so I had to piece it together by looking at the stock photo on Amazon. It wasn’t too hard to put together though. For the price, this was a very good idea purchase. The materials are pretty light, so I put a bunch of heavy big pots on the bottom to weigh the structure down. I might get some bricks too. It has been windy where I am and I certainly dont want my new greenhouse to fly away." - S. Lee

    amazon.com , David Report

    Grm Moore
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This kind of "greenhouse" lasts 5 minutes. The plastic starts to shred, like a threadbare sheet. Microplastics? No thanks.

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    #3

    Give Your Sad, Tired Lawn One Last Big Meal Before Its Long Winter Nap So It Comes Back Looking Like A Champion In The Spring With Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard

    Well-maintained garden lawn with a large tree, bordered by sidewalks in a residential neighborhood before the first freeze.

    Review: "This product has been a game changer for lawn Winter treatment makes a world of difference." - Mustang 1

    amazon.com , Mustang 1 Report

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Problem solved lmao no grass as such in my gardens ,front one is wild flowers hedges one huge magnolia tree with a like woodland planted under , small lawn yes but like tiny , the back garden which is HOOOGE backs on to miles n miles of farmland ,had two green houses and a frenzied off veg area raised beds lush n to rest at min we are still deciding exactly what to do either it so it’s ok kinda is grass ,but growing thru the stones that were down when we moved in , 11 yrs ago , work in progress lol as such is a lovely wildlife haven tidy n also for my dogs ,two mine two foster dogs, seeing deeper pheasants grouse wild rabbits in it is lovely plus zillions of birds I feed back n front , bees butterfly’s etc pure bliss so nope no lawn to get precious over lol can’t be doing with that eugh looks to bloody a**l for my liking

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    #4

    Blast All The Gross, Decomposing Leaf Gunk Out Of Your Gutters From The Safety Of The Ground By Using A Powerful Cordless Telescopic Leaf Blower

    Garage interior with a car, vintage signs, and a leaf blower, highlighting tools for your garden before the first freeze.

    Review: "Brought this leaf blower to clear my gutters. Just installed new gutters with gutter guards, and this leaf blower did the job. Blew off leafs, acorns, right off. Easy to use, and not too top heavy. Also, can be use as a regular leaf blower. Quality product, 2 batteries, and charging cord." - Richard Donis

    amazon.com , Richard Donis Report

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    #5

    Protect Your Most Delicate Plant Babies From The First Surprise Frost By Creating A Cozy Little Biodome For Them With These Garden Cloche Clear Bell Covers

    Clear plastic cloches protecting garden seedlings from cold, preparing the garden before the first freeze.

    Review: "The birds eat all of the seeds, and the squirrels dig up every plant I have in my carton. So when I want to plant something new from seed, I don’t normally have very much luck. However, with the addition of these garden closures, things are vastly different, my sunflower seeds have sprouted beautifully, being untouched by any creatures. The best part about these is the vent on the top. You can swivel it open when you are watering, and to give the seedling fresh air. Otherwise, swivel it shut! And your seedling has its very own miniature greenhouse. What a fabulous purchase!" - Joseph Stanek

    amazon.com , Joseph Stanek Report

    Starbug
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't see how the squirrels/mice/rats won't just lift or dig under those covers. I've planted 100+ sunflowers in covered seed trays, put elastic bands around so they couldn't be opened, inside the greenhouse, and still the mice ate them all!

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    See? It's not about a complete backyard overhaul. It's about a series of small, smart tasks that act as an insurance policy against the bleakest months of the year. Every single one of these chores is a gift you're giving to your future, spring-fever-addled self. Imagine stepping out into the first warm day of the year to a yard that's already halfway to gorgeous, all because you put in a little effort now. Let's keep that momentum going.

    #6

    Make The Soul-Crushing Job Of Bagging Up That Mountain Of Leaves Ten Times Faster By Transforming Your Hands Into Giant Claws With These Leaf Scoops

    Person using yellow garden leaf collector to gather dry leaves, essential garden prep before the first freeze.

    Review: "These are great!! So much easier to pick up piles of raked leaves than using the rake and your hand!! They are sturdy and easy to use! Love 'em!!" - Sandwin

    amazon.com Report

    Grm Moore
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Use your mower. Then use leaves a mulch!

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    #7

    Keep Your Patio Pillows From Becoming A Sad, Soggy Science Experiment By Tucking Them Away For The Winter In An Outdoor Storage Box

    Outdoor garden storage box closed and open, showing garden tools and supplies organized before the first freeze.

    Review: "Purchased this storage container to store, pool chemicals and accessories and I was not disappointed. It was very easy to put together most of the pieces snap in place relatively easily. The lid closes perfectly and it’s not heavy to move around to get in place. The build quality and the color were excellent. You can’t get much better for 35 bucks." - Madalyn

    amazon.com , Madalyn Report

    LookASquirrel
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We are on our second one. They are nice just don't keep bird seed in it. Critters will find a way. Otherwise they are great.

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    #8

    Stop The Annual Spring Scavenger Hunt For That One Trowel You Actually Like By Finally Gathering All Your Equipment Into A Proper Garden Tool Organiser

    Gardening tools stored in a corner, ready for garden tasks before the first freeze to protect plants and soil.

    Review: "This organizer is amazing. Upon delivery, the package was so small, I was sure I had the wrong order. I opened the package, easily assembled the organizer, started to feed it. What a surprise, I have room for more tools. This organizer is well worth the investment." - Darryl E. Cloud

    amazon.com , Darryl E. Cloud Report

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All my garden tools I need planting wise ie pruning shears ,trowels etc go in my potting shed in a box on a shelf , the big tools are outside lol against wall ,n woe betide anyone moves em n don’t put back 😂my garden is my haven my space lol no garden shed YET !!

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    #9

    Prevent Your Beloved Shrubs From Getting A Nasty Case Of Frostbite On A Surprisingly Cold Night By Tucking Them In With Some Frost Blankets For Outdoor Plants

    Potted garden plant being protected with a cover to prepare for the first freeze and ensure garden care.

    Review: "These plant covers are so much easier than putting sheets over the plants and fidgeting with clips to hold them on. The zipper moves freely and the pull cord can be released on one side to make putting the cover on taller, or stout trees, a breeze. The material is light, and I was able to cover our tree without any assistance. We have only had a few nights of freezing temperatures and the cover worked well. The fabric is holding up nicely. I will update if or when we get some colder weather." - Kelly M.

    amazon.com , Kelly M. Report

    BeesEelsAndPups
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At my old place I had a fig tree that I had to bury every winter. I don't think this would have worked. The figs were worth the hassle

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    #10

    Your Grill Worked Hard All Summer, So Give It The Dignified Winter Retirement It Deserves With This BBQ Grill Cover

    Black Grill Tough cover protecting outdoor grill in a garden, preparing for first freeze and winter weather.

    Review: "Just got this. Very nice! Heavy duty. Plenty big! Covers the grill, the side table and the side with the controls and goes down to the ground. I think I'm gonna like this!" - AK_in_OR

    amazon.com , AK_in_OR Report

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    Protecting your plants and tools from the ravages of winter is about more than just aesthetics; it's about protecting your investment. You spent all spring and summer watering, weeding, and nurturing your green space, so don't let a surprise frost or a heavy snowfall undo all that hard work. Think of this as the final, most important stage of the gardening season: the part where you play bodyguard for your beloved plants. Ready to tackle the next phase of Operation Hibernation?

    #11

    The Great Annual Migration Of Your Plant Children From The Patio To The Living Room Will Be A Lot More Organized With This Indoor Plant Stand

    Various potted garden plants arranged on a black metal shelf with a blue watering can and garden hose nearby before the first freeze.

    Review: "Easy to assemble. Holds about 9 standing plants. It's light weight and sturdy, so far so good. I have it for about 4 months. No complaints, fits exactly where I wanted to be, I made sure to measure the area before purchasing. No errosion thus far." - Walt

    amazon.com , Walt Report

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    #12

    Give Your Trees And Shrubs A Much-Needed Pre-Hibernation Trim To Encourage Healthy Spring Growth, Reaching All The Awkward High Spots From The Ground With These Telescopic Hedge Sheers

    Garden hedge shears on green grass with dried leaves showing essential garden tasks before first freeze.

    Review: "I got these telescoping trimmers for keeping my shrubs and trees pruned, and I am very pleased with how well they look and work. They have a comfortable grip, are sturdy, and cut cleanly and easily through branches. It is very easy to adjust the trimmers from 23” to 30” according to your need and preference. Excellent quality, affordably priced, and they seem durable — would recommend." - Amazon Reviewer

    amazon.com , Amazon Reviewer Report

    #13

    Tuck Your Entire Rows Of Winter Vegetables Into A Cozy Little Hibernation Station To Shield Them From The Harshest Weather With These Winter Garden Rows Plant Covers

    Young garden plants protected under frost cover to prepare for cold weather before the first freeze season.

    Review: "So I'm using this to house a couple of cabbage seedlings in each popup plant cover. These covers are not very large but I'm hoping they'll be big enough for cabbages. There's a zippered opening on one side so you can ventilate during a hot day. They pop up easily in seconds. Great for use when you get the frost warning at night. The little tent stakes (one per side) will not actually prevent the popup from blowing away - they're not going to get enough purchase in the soil. The fabric is very lightweight but it's enough to shield from frost. There's a separate zippered bag to store them in. With care, these should last several seasons." - Pennsylvania Peony

    amazon.com , Pennsylvania Peony Report

    Grm Moore
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I start my winter veg in autumn and they are away and growing well late autumn, and through winter. Without plastic. That's the point of growing seasonal, leeks, swede etc happily sit in frost!

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    #14

    Give Your Future, Winter-Weary Self A Delightful Surprise By Getting These Daffodil Bulbs In The Ground Before The First Big Freeze

    Raised garden bed with blooming daffodils and fresh soil, ready for fall garden care before the first freeze.

    Review: "These bulbs bloomed beautiful yellow with orange center flowers. They are so cute bouncing around in my planter bed with the breeze. All 50 have come up and so far 48 blooms. These blooms have lasted 5 weeks. Super happy with this purchase." - kenneth gentry

    amazon.com , kenneth gentry Report

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got mine three yrs ago from Thompson n Morgan here in uk, added a few more each yr , Ike thousands of bulbs in front garden n outside front gate on verge before path , looks lush once done ,no need to do em again , I have a nifty weeding tool that digs em up easy but leaves a hole , so I use it to plant bulbs no bending required ,then u tap tune pole n pot the soil back on top easy peasy

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    #15

    Ensure Your Garden Hose Doesn't Spend The Winter Evolving Into A Sad, Cracked Sprinkler By Safely Tucking It Away In A Garden Hose Storage Box

    Garden hose reel storage box in a green garden with blooming white flowers before the first freeze season.

    Review: "Fits my 100 ft hose well. Rolls up nicely. Product container is a good quality. Whenever I use the hose , I just use the handle and roll it up. So much better than trying to wrap a hose around a hose stand." - Trish S.

    amazon.com Report

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    #16

    Create A Warm, Insulating Blanket For Your Garden Beds To Protect Perennial Roots From The Harsh Winter Freeze By Laying Down A Layer Of Coco Liner

    Close-up of dense plant roots and a thriving garden bed with green vegetables and irrigation before the first freeze.

    Review: "Very well made and thicker than I expected. Just perfect for making liners for my cone baskets that are odd size." - Jerri L. Rodgers

    amazon.com , Miso Furycake Report

    geezeronthehill
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shredded leaves only cost your time to make them. It's leaf harvest time!

    #17

    Wrap Your More Delicate Trees And Shrubs Like A Rustic Holiday Gift To Shield Them From Harsh Winds And Heavy Snow With These Natural Burlap Plant Covers

    Young trees with burlap-wrapped root balls ready for planting in a garden before the first freeze season.

    Review: "Perfect for hydrangeas. At least so far. Two overnight freezes. Plants still smilin’." - Terry Evans

    amazon.com Report

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