Well, it’s official: winter is here, which means snow and the removal of snow will soon follow. Snow removal is perhaps the most time-consuming and intense winter chore, and in today’s blog, we at TLC Nursery & Outdoor Living would like to offer you some tips and tricks to hopefully lessen the burden of removing snow.
Mark Where the Sidewalk Ends
When a big snowstorm comes and drops a blanket of snow on your home, you won’t be able to see exactly where your driveway or sidewalk ends and begins. This isn’t good for shoveling and for snow removal services because they can unknowingly damage your yard or garden. To prevent this from happening put stakes around plant beds and your yard so that you know exactly where to stop when shoveling.
Get a Good Shovel
Snow shovels aren’t used year round. This intermittent use can convince people that they don’t need to spend money on a quality snow shovel. Though this stance can make sense in the moment, it quickly proves false after the first big snowfall when you are holding your flimsy shovel wondering how it’s possible to remove so little after 30 minutes of shoveling. Look for a shovel that is lightweight but durable and coated with a nonstick surface to maximize loading and unloading. Additionally, though it can be tempting to get the biggest blade possible, be wary of the fact that you will likely be inclined to overload it, which can turn snow removal into a strenuous workout.
Don’t Delay
We understand not many people like removing snow. However, to lessen the overall workload, you are much better off tackling the removal as soon as you can. When snow begins to pile up and temperatures drop, the bottom layer of snow will quickly turn to a nice sheet of ice. This can, of course, be problematic for sidewalks and driveways. Additionally, don’t heap snow near the walls or your foundation. When you do this and the snow melts, it can then refreeze and cause cracks to widen, which can lead to water damage.
Deice
When it comes to snow removal, deicers can be your best friend. Rock salt is cheap and very effective. However, as lawn care professionals, we must say that salt can be harmful to your shrubs, grass, and yard. If this is a concern of yours, you may want to opt for other salts like magnesium chloride or calcium chloride. Though these cost more than rock salt, they are less harsh on your plants and vegetation—this is not to say, however, that they are good for your plants. They are definitely not.
Invest in a Snow Blower
Snow blowers are the easiest and quickest way to remove snow from large flat areas. However, as might be expected, snow blowers are not the cheapest option, and if snow is not a daily or weekly part of your winter, you may not need to bite this bullet. That being said, they can be pretty fun to operate, so you may want to take that into account as well.
Leave It to the Professionals
If you would rather stay inside, sip a warm beverage and not deal with the hassle of removing snow, you could always call your local snow removers. If you are in Independence, Kansas, and you find yourself wanting this service, call us! We offer comprehensive snow and ice control, and we even offer snow response plans, meaning our team will prepare a plan to ensure that the snow on your property is removed promptly after a big snow, allowing you to traverse across any of your hard, outdoor surfaces. Learn more about our snow and ice removal and contact us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment.