15 Garden Decorations to Clear Out Before Winter

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As the days get shorter and chillier, your garden goes through seasonal changes. Winter is a time of rest for us as well as for nature. While your garden may look peaceful under a blanket of snow, hidden hazards and unnecessary clutter can become problems come spring. That’s why Fall cleanup is more than just raking leaves.

We tend to overlook the ornaments and decorations we placed in our garden. While those fairy lights, bird feeders and wind chimes might seem cute and harmless now, they can become damaged or even dangerous come the icy grip of winter. Are you ready to prep your garden for a frosty break? Let’s jump into what should stay and what should go.

Fairy Lights

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Fairy lights twinkling in summer evenings are magical, but they’re not meant for harsh winters unless they’re built for it. Wires can fray in moisture and freezing temperatures, causing shorts or of even fire risks. If you can’t live without your fairy lights as much as you can’t live without your morning coffee, put them away safe and sound until spring.

Ceramic Planters

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Ceramic planters are the gardener’s favourite for looks but they are not winter proof. The material can also soak in water and when the temperature lowers they can crack from expansion of ice. If you don’t want to say goodbye to your planters, move your plants to frostproof containers and bring the ceramics inside.

Garden Gnomes

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Just like these quirky little guardians of your garden, they should get a break. Most garden gnomes are made from painted resin, which can fade or crack after exposure to snow and freezing rain. Store them somewhere warm so their whimsical charm will carry over to next season.

Bird Baths

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It’s tempting to leave out bird baths for winter visitors, but stagnant water can freeze, which will damage the structure. It could also be dangerous to birds. Heated bird baths are a safer way to help support wildlife during the colder months, according to a study released by the Cornell University.

Wind Chimes

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While wind chimes create a soothing soundtrack to breezy days, they can really take a beating in the winter storms. Winds can tangle or break the strings making it a mess to untangle next spring. Getting them packed up before winter can save you the stress.

Garden Furniture

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While your outdoor furniture may bear the labeling “weather resistant”, winter weather can still do a number on it. Metal pieces may decay or rust and the wooden furniture is more likely than not to warp or crack or even break. If you don’t have any indoor storage, it’s worth spending a little money on waterproof covers to keep everything in good condition.

Decorative Fountains

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Garden fountains can easily get clogged by frozen water, and cracked basins are very ugly. The safest bet is to bring it indoors, but draining the water and covering the structure can help, too. If that doesn’t work, cover it in heavy duty plastic and make sure it is taped or screwed down tightly.

Hanging Baskets

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Remnants of summer blooms or decorative parts of hanging baskets are frequently left to become soggy and moldy under winter’s wet conditions. By taking them down, you also save the baskets from the bout of rotted plants come spring and the endless task of cleaning out the muck.

Solar Lights

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Solar lights are made for outdoor use, but snow and ice can cloud them or break them. If you like their soft glow, clean them up and store them safely to bring back out for next year’s garden parties.

Trellises and Arbors

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If your trellises and arbors are lightweight or portable, you may want to bring them inside. In areas with heavy snowfall, these structures can come crashing down if they aren’t reinforced. Later on, your climbing plants will thank you.

Stepping Stones

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Stepping stones can also shift or crack under freezing conditions when you use them as decorative elements. Hidden under snow, they cause trip hazards also. If you don’t want to relocate them to a safe spot, add extra support to keep them in place through the winter months.

Ornamental Sculptures

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Winter can be brutal and delicate sculptures and statues can lose their charm if battered by winter’s harshness. Bring them indoors if they are small enough to prevent chips, cracks or color fading. Also, you can wrap larger ones with burlap or a similar protective material.

Gazebo Curtains

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If your gazebo has fabric curtains, it’s time to take them down. Mildew can set in if they’re left out too long, and wet, frozen fabric tears easily. Pack them away nice and dry and washed.

Seasonal Decorations

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Fall pumpkins, scarecrows and other seasonal displays are nice in fall, but you don’t want them covered in frost. Compost what you can, and save the reusable stuff for next year’s autumnal charm.

Bird Feeders

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Bird feeders can stay up, but it’s important to clean them regularly and fill them with winter food—like black oil sunflower seeds, which give birds extra calories in the winter. Make sure to keep the feeders ice and snow free.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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