Winter Property Care: What to Do Before the Snow

Lawn & Turf Winterization

• Apply high-potassium winterizer fertilizer before the ground freezes (late October in Erie County)
• Final mow at 2.5 inches — too long and it mats under snow; too short and crowns are exposed to cold
• Rake and remove all fallen leaves — leaf cover promotes snow mold and suffocates grass
• Core aerate if you haven't already — fall aeration improves winter root health
• Overseed thin or bare areas with quality tall fescue or bluegrass blend by mid-October at the latest
• Cut back spent perennials, but leave ornamental grasses and seed heads for winter wildlife
• Mulch the root zones of newly planted trees and shrubs with 3–4 inches of wood chip mulch

Irrigation & Water Systems

Drain and store garden hoses before the first hard freeze. For in-ground irrigation systems, a professional winterization (blowout) is essential — any water remaining in lines and heads will expand and crack them. In Buffalo, blow-outs should be completed by mid-October. Outdoor water features like ponds and fountains need their pumps removed and stored indoors.

Hardscape Inspection & Protection

Fall is the time to catch and fix small hardscape problems before winter turns them into major ones. Walk your patio, walkways, and driveway and look for shifted, cracked, or sunken pavers. Re-setting a few pavers in October takes an hour; dealing with the same problem after a winter of heaving takes a day. Apply penetrating sealer to natural stone and porous concrete surfaces to block water infiltration that causes spalling.

• Reset any shifted or uneven pavers before frost sets in
• Seal concrete and natural stone patios with a frost-rated penetrating sealer
• Clear all drainage channels, catch basins, and downspout extensions of debris
• Check retaining wall drainage outlets — blockages cause hydrostatic pressure buildup
• Remove patio furniture, planters, and decorative elements susceptible to freeze damage
• Drain and winterize outdoor kitchen plumbing if applicable

Snow Removal Preparation

Buffalo's first significant snowfall can arrive as early as October, and lake-effect events can drop 2–3 feet in 24 hours. Preparing early for snow removal is not optional — it's a safety necessity for homeowners and a legal requirement for commercial properties.

• Stock ice melt before October — it sells out fast after the first storm
• Use calcium chloride or magnesium chloride near lawns and planted areas — rock salt damages soil
• Install driveway and walkway edge markers before the first snowfall so plows stay on-path
• Mark any low-clearance fixtures, irrigation heads, or landscape lighting with flags
• Book your snow removal or plowing service now — demand spikes after the first storm

Trees & Shrubs

• Have a certified arborist assess large trees near structures for dead or weak limbs before ice load
• Wrap young or newly planted trees with burlap to prevent winter sunscald
• Stake columnar evergreens prone to splitting under heavy snow load
• Apply anti-desiccant spray to broadleaf evergreens (rhododendrons, hollies) in late November
• Do not prune spring-flowering shrubs now — wait until after they bloom

Professional Fall Cleanup & Snow Removal in Erie County

RRR Hardscaping provides complete fall cleanup, winterization, and seasonal snow plowing services across Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Amherst, Tonawanda, West Seneca, Orchard Park, and surrounding Erie County communities. Book your fall cleanup or snow removal contract now — our schedule fills up well before the first storm.