The One Thing To Do Before The Ground Freezes That Makes Snow Removal So Much Easier

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Snowfall in the winter months can actually be beneficial to your yard, as it offers insulation from extreme cold and can even transfer moisture and important soil components such as nitrogen into the grass. Therefore, you probably shouldn't remove snow from your lawn during the winter months. However, keeping your pathways clear of snow and ice is incredibly important to avoid the risk of slipping and falling. But when you've had a sudden heavy snowfall, it can sometimes be hard to tell where the lawn ends and the walkways begin. To save yourself having to dig around in the snow to find the edge of the path, why not try a handy trick that makes it simple to locate the edges every time?

By placing down visible markers before the snow arrives, you can easily delineate the edges of your yard, saving time you would otherwise spend out in the cold. This is one of the great things you can do this fall to get your yard winter-ready, as it can help you find sidewalks, patios, or driveways that need to be cleared. It is also helpful for pointing out parts of your yard which could be a tripping hazard when hidden beneath a few inches or even a few feet of snow. Areas such as landscaped garden beds, rock formations, or sculptures can be dangerous if not properly defined. 

While this idea is relatively straightforward, there are also some key timing and material tips which can help you make the most of this trick for a hassle-free winter season.

The most important thing to consider when planning to outline your borders before the first snowfall of the season is timing. You'll want to place your markers before the ground has frozen so you can insert them firmly into the soil while it is still soft. 

You will also need to think about what types of marker you'd like to use for this job. Small, colorful flags — such as the Zozen Marking Flags — are great because they are bright and easy to spot. In addition, they tend to be relatively tall, around 15 inches, which means they will still be visible even over quite a few inches of snow. Just make sure to look into the different colored lawn flags and what they mean to avoid confusion, because some colors can symbolize nearby electrical work or drainage pipes. If in doubt, you could always opt for a patterned flag to avoid any potential confusion.

However, if your area tends to get multiple feet of snow or you're concerned about the look of brightly colored flags in your yard throughout the winter, you may want to consider another option. One great alternative is wooden garden stakes. Their natural brown color is less obvious but should still be visible through the snow. In addition, you can purchase them in a variety of heights — even up to 72 inches — or make your own out of scrap wood to get the right length depending on how much snowfall is expected for your location.