Prepping Your Outdoor Space for Winter

As landscape architects, we love our outdoor spaces. We’ve also invested in them significantly, as have many of our clients. No one wants to put a lot of work, thought, and money into creating a beautiful space that you’ll only use for half the year. It may sound intimidating, but you can continue to use your outdoor space year-round, and may even find it more enjoyable to use your space in colder temps. 

Nisho is based out of Denver, Colorado. We’ve been enjoying quite a nice fall out here by the mountains...but are expecting to see our first snow of the season any day now. 

Here are some of our top tips to keep your outdoor space in tact - and usable - all season long:

Take a look at your irrigation systems

Disconnect your hoses from your house, and winterize any irrigation systems you have. No one wants frozen or cracked pipes!  Also, ensure you have winter watering set up for any new trees and plants to keep them hydrated during dry spells.

Keep your space accessible

By keeping ice melt handy, you can mitigate the risk of slipping on slick outdoor surfaces. It’s also a good idea to keep a shovel somewhere easily accessible, so you can easily clear paths to and from your outdoor gathering spaces. Canopies and umbrellas are a great way to keep your outdoor space clear and dry as well - just be sure to clear snow from the top so it doesn’t break or collapse.

Stay cozy

There are lots of ways you can comfortably continue using your outdoor space year-round. First of all, dressing appropriately can make all the difference - embrace sweaters, puffy coats, blankets, wool socks, beanies, and all things comfy and cozy.  When you’ve finished using your space for the night, pull cushions and umbrellas in from the wet and cold weather to keep them warm and dry. 

Invest in a fire feature

Nisho fire features can be used year-round without issue. Made from GRFC and an all-brass burner, Nisho features are designed to withstand the elements. We do, however, recommend covering the feature when not in use to prevent snow or rain getting into the burner. Let your Nisho do its job to keep your space, and everyone around it, warm, especially in the chilly seasons!

When you’re ready to elevate your outdoor space and keep things cozy this season, give us a call. Let’s talk fire.