There are many things to appreciate about winter. You may welcome the snow and holiday celebrations, for instance. When it comes to the exterior condition of your home, however, the cold and precipitation can bring a heavy toll if you don't take preventative measures against them. Here's what to consider while preparing your yard for winter so that your home can emerge in spring unscathed.

The Height of Your Lawn

Once the ground freezes, you can pause your lawn mowing. Until that time comes, you should continue to maintain the height of your grass. Different species and climates can affect what length is ideal for you, but for the most part, staying between two and two and a half inches is safe. With this, spots on your lawn will not die off from the cold because it is excessively short. The lawn will also not be so tall that winter molds have an easy time growing under the cover of the blades.

The Quantity of Fallen Leaves

Autumn colors are pretty to look at, but the dying leaves won't do your home any favors if you leave them lying about. Leaves can clog up your gutters, suffocate your lawn, and provide cover for small pests. As a result, the quantity of fallen leaves is a factor of what to consider while preparing your yard for winter. Take the time to rake them up and remove them so that your yard stays healthy and neat. In addition, you should clear your gutters of the detritus so that they can effectively move water away from your home and prevent roof or siding issues as rain and snow begins to fall more frequently.

The State of Your Fence

If you have a fence around your yard, you must remember that it also needs to survive the winter. The actions that you take to winterize your fence properly can vary depending on its composition. Wood fencing will need occasional picket replacement, screw tightening, and sealant application so that it does not rot or warp when it is in regular contact with snow, ice, and rain. Metal and plastic fences do not need as much attention since they are usually more resistant to water. Still, you should clean them thoroughly in the fall. With metal fencing, you can apply paint or rust protection to further defend it. For plastic fencing, you may need to exchange broken pieces as you do with wood fencing.