Plan ahead to protect your home and property from winter storm damage.

Be prepared. Keep a bag or two of Vaporizer and a small hand shovel in the trunk of your car during the winter months or at the first sign of inclement weather. The weight of the bags will help your tires to grip the road under slippery conditions. If your car does happen to get stuck, a few handfuls of Vaporizer in front of and behind your tires can give you the added traction you need to break free and will save you from expensive towing costs.

Be proactive. First, trim back tree limbs that could snap and fall on your roof or gutters. For more extensive pruning, consult a professional arborist first for advice about how and when to prune and the safe way to take down large or heavy branches.

Be cautious. All trees should also be clear of power lines; however, this is not a do-it-yourself project. If you see a potential problem, call your utility for assistance, and do it now—before the advent of the first winter storm.

Be thorough. If you receive cable, phone or other services via overhead wires, check to make sure tree limbs are trimmed away from these areas, too. When in doubt, always phone the provider to make sure it’s safe to get close to overhead wires while you’re trimming.

Clear gutters and downspouts so they will function properly when you need them most.

Correct drainage problems that create standing water on walkways and patios. Well-drained surfaces are less likely to crack or crumble in a hard freeze.

Protect outdoor pipes. Consult your lawn irrigation system manual ahead of time so you’ll know what steps to take in case of a deep freeze.

Winterize your pool and outdoor spa or hot tub. Depending on the region where you live, pools may be drained, covered or both. A winter pool cover should be strong enough to withstand the weight of wildlife that may wander across it. If your pool will stay filled, schedule a professional service check to make sure the pump will operate effectively through the cold weather. A pre-winter check and service is also very important for hot tubs and spas. Pump failures can allow water to freeze inside a pipe or the pump itself, causing serious damage.

Fertilize your lawn in the fall to help prepare the roots for the winter dormant period. GRO-WELL 12-0-6 Fall Turf and Root Formula provides lower nitrogen to slow grass metabolism and extra potassium to boost hardiness. A second application in late October will help give your lawn resilience through the cold months.

Sod or reseed bare patches in early fall. It’s best to lay sod during the fall—not when it’s hot. Remember to keep new sod moist.

Water trees and shrubs thoroughly a final time before cold weather arrives.

Fall is a great time to move or remove plants that aren’t thriving. It’s also prime time for planting bulbs and dividing perennials. Before dividing perennials, check to be sure that fall division is appropriate (some varieties should be divided in the spring). Make sure that each section has at least one bud and some roots.

Protect plants from cold temperatures by insulating the roots with a thick layer of mulch. You may also want to wrap them with a warm covering before and during a severe freeze.

The best time to overseed your lawn with winter rye grass is two weeks before the first severe frost.