69 Days ’til Christmas – Fall Yard Prep

Part of the #100DaysTilChristmasChallenge – one small step every day to make the holidays more joyful and less stressful.

It’s October 17th, and here in Colorado, our first freeze is coming this weekend. I’ve already started bringing my mums in at night and wrapping the outdoor pipes since the sprinkler company hasn’t made it out yet to winterize our system.

We also just did our final mowing of the year (and my husband is beyond excited about that one). If your forecast is starting to dip too, now’s the perfect time for a little fall yard prep before the real cold sets in.

Today’s task isn’t about spending hours outside or tackling a full yard overhaul — it’s simply about noticing what needs to be wrapped up, getting a few things scheduled, and making sure your fall yard prep is under control before winter hits.

Simple Fall Yard Prep Tasks

Before it gets too chilly, take a few minutes to walk around your yard and see what needs to be done before winter fully arrives.

• Do you still have hoses connected to outdoor faucets?
• Any plants or pots that won’t survive a freeze?
• Furniture cushions or garden décor that need to be stored?
• Gutters that could use a quick clean-out before the next storm?

Schedule the Big Stuff

If you haven’t already, it’s a great time to get a few outdoor appointments on the calendar:

• Sprinkler system winterization
• Gutter cleaning
• Tree trimming or leaf removal
• Lawn service or equipment maintenance before storage

Even just booking the appointment counts as progress — part of smart fall yard prep is getting ahead before everyone else is calling the same services.

Protect What You Can

Once the freeze hits, the last thing you want is a burst pipe or soggy patio cushion. A few quick tasks today can save a lot of stress later:

• Wrap exposed outdoor pipes and faucets
• Drain and store hoses
• Bring in or cover cushions, planters, and garden décor
• Put away any tools or supplies that don’t handle cold well

It’s all about doing a little now so you’re not out there with numb fingers next week.

Think Ahead for Holiday Lights

If you plan to hang holiday lights outside, this is a great weekend to start prepping:

• Check your outdoor outlets and extension cords
• Test timers or smart plugs
• Replace any broken bulbs
• Make sure ladders and light hooks are ready to go

You never know what the next few weekends will bring — so a little prep now for your holiday lights is one less chilly ladder climb later.

Keep It Cozy

Before heading back inside, make your yard a space you can still enjoy for a few more weeks. Keep your fire pit ready for crisp fall evenings, add a few pumpkins or hardy mums, or hang some simple string lights for that fall glow.

This isn’t about perfection — just keeping things comfortable and ready for the next season.

Today’s To-Do List

✅ Walk your yard and note what needs attention
✅ Schedule sprinkler and gutter maintenance
✅ Bring in or cover plants and cushions
✅ Wrap outdoor pipes and store hoses
✅ Check outlets and light cords for holiday decorating