1. Finish the yard before the freeze
Leaves left on a lawn over winter mat down under snow and smother the grass. A final cleanup — leaves off the lawn, beds cleared, driveway and walkways blown off — is the last lawn-care task of the year and the first winter-prep task.
- Final cut and trim before growth stops.
- Leaf and debris cleanup off lawn, beds and walkways.
- Cut back perennials that would otherwise collapse under snow.
2. Mark what will disappear under snow
Once there is 30 cm of snow on the ground, nobody can see where your interlock border stops. Markers protect both your property and the equipment.
- Mark driveway edges, especially where interlock meets lawn.
- Flag low lighting, irrigation heads, garden edging and hoses.
- Note anything permanent but low — retaining walls, curbs, drains.
- Move seasonal items (planters, hoses, furniture) off the driveway and walkway.
3. Plan where the snow goes
Snow removal is really snow relocation. Deciding in advance where snow will be stacked keeps the driveway usable in February instead of gradually narrowing all winter.
- Identify open lawn or side areas that can take snow.
- Keep the area around the driveway entrance free so it does not become the default pile.
- Check that stacked snow will not block a walkway, gas meter, vent or hydrant.
4. Prepare walkways and steps for ice
- Fix loose pavers, wobbly steps and handrails now, not in January.
- Clear gutters and check downspout discharge so meltwater does not run across the walkway and refreeze.
- Stock a de-icer or traction material and store it somewhere reachable without crossing ice.
5. Get the winter service in place
Confirm your seasonal snow arrangement in the fall, while there is still time to walk the property and record notes. Photos taken before the snow arrives make for a far more accurate estimate than photos taken mid-storm.
Common questions
- Why does fall yard cleanup matter for winter?
- Leaves and debris left on a lawn mat down under snow, hold moisture against the grass through the thaw, and make spring recovery slower. Clearing them is the practical handover between the lawn season and winter.
- What should I mark before the first snowfall?
- Driveway edges and interlock borders, low landscape lighting, irrigation heads, garden edging, and any low permanent feature that will be invisible under snow.
- Where should snow be stacked on a residential lot?
- On open lawn or side areas that can absorb it, away from the driveway entrance, and clear of walkways, gas meters, vents and hydrants.
Related on this site
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Keep reading
- What affects snow removal cost in Ottawa
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