Winter Preparation for yards. Advice?

[Jack Rabbit]

Cheese mentioned Winter Preparation in another post. What kinds of things are done to prepare a yard for winter?

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Was he talking about aerating and adding a fall fertilizer or simply just cleaning off the leaves and giving it one last mow?

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[Local Edge Lawn Care]

If there is a sprinkler system be sure to explain to them that they want to spend the extra money to actually get their sprinkler systems blown out instead of just shut off- Just because they were ok last year doesnt mean they will be fine this year. What if its colder this year? each year that the water expands the pipe the more brittle it will make the sprinkler system pipes and eventually break and cause future problems in the sprinkler valves etc.. Not sure if this is way off topic but just sayin,,

Justin
sprinkler repair salt lake city utah

[MountainViewGreenskeeper]

For us its one last mow and shut the water off. Thats really about it. The ground dont freeze we get a frost in the morning and thats it.

Others properties overseed and we keep normal service going.

[Local Edge Lawn Care]

Your lawn care company is year round? even with a mild frost in the morning? where abouts are you located? For me to keep my main key guys in the winter we build things like decks, push hard for water falls ponds rivers etc.


Justin
lawn care salt lake city utah

[MountainViewGreenskeeper]

If that question was directed at me I'm in Arizona. Phoenix area if that makes it easier. We over seed with rye grass. Untill it warms up march/april and the bermuda grass comes back. As it cost a pretty penny not everyone does it. So yes we mow all year round but not at full capacity during the winter.

Also when I say frost its a real light frost and only a few days out of 2 months. Though you can lose the occational bush.

[Jack Rabbit]

Well, I don't remember what that post was about. Seems it was a reply to someone but now I can't find that post anywhere. I think I copy/pasted the words "winter preparation" from it but now it is not even found with the search feature.

No matter as the point of this one is to gather info. about any and all things done around this time of year for a yard.

Mentioned so far:
- Blow out sprinkler system to prevent freeze/expansion damage.
- Turn off water.
- Fall fertilizer.

Any more?

My business has dropped to zero new jobs. I restarted advertisements on a local online classifieds site that worked well for me before and nothing. No calls, no emails, nothing. I've got one clean up and a small rock installation (xeriscaping) to do. All scheduled repeat work like mowing is gone for the season. There will be leaves to clean soon and that's it. I'm looking for a regular job for the winter but it is almost impossible to get a job here in a good economy so there's no chance now.

[Local Edge Lawn Care]

You call always trim bushes? fall clean up? I have three of my lawn care crews go around and install christmas lighting and decor, But people now days arent looking at their yards for fall clean ups they are shopping shopping and more shopping while getting ready and planning for turkey day and xmas family plans.. Be sure to service up your equipment really good so next lawn care season you dont have any issues..


Justin
Lawn care service salt lake city utah

[Steve]

Jack,

Have you gotten a chance yet to ask your current customer base if there are any other services they need to prepare their houses for winter?

You might be surprised what people need done. They may need to get things out of their attic or put back up in there. Maybe they need a part of their house cleaned out.

Anything!

The more you ask, the more options you will have to perform more services to your current customer base.

Maybe even outdoor holiday lighting decorations?

[picframer]

In addition to pruning, wrapping ever greens, cleanup of leaves we also spray our Organics and generally Lime.