Surviving an Idaho winter requires not just preparing your home but also taking care of your car and garden. From servicing your vehicle to winterizing your lawn, here are 10 steps to ensure you’re ready for whatever the winter season brings:
1. Service Your Car Before the First Snow
Cold weather takes a toll on your car’s battery, brakes, and tires. Have your car serviced before winter hits, and make sure to check the battery, brakes, and spark plugs.
2. Switch to Snow Tires
Snow tires with deeper treads provide better grip on icy roads. If you regularly drive in heavy snow, consider swapping out your regular tires for snow tires to improve safety and control.
3. Stock Your Car with Ice Melt
Keep a bag of rock salt or sand in your car. It’s essential for adding traction in icy spots, and can prevent you from getting stuck during snowstorms.
4. Prepare a Winter Emergency Car Kit
Pack your vehicle with winter essentials, including a flashlight, blankets, jumper cables, road flares, and snacks. These items can be lifesavers if you’re stranded in cold conditions.
5. Install Winter Windshield Wipers
Winter wiper blades are specially designed to handle ice and snow, helping keep your windshield clear without having to step out into the cold.
6. Winterize Your Lawn
Before the first freeze, aerate your lawn to allow soil to breathe and recover from the year’s compaction. Avoid walking on your lawn once it goes dormant to prevent damage to the grass.
7. Protect Garden Beds with Mulch
Cover garden beds with a thin layer of mulch to insulate the soil and protect plant roots from freezing. Keep mulch away from tree trunks and plant bases to prevent rot.
8. Winterize Your Sprinkler System
Shut off the water supply to your irrigation system and drain the pipes to avoid frozen, burst pipes. If necessary, hire a professional to blow out any remaining water with compressed air.
9. Keep Pets Safe in Cold Weather
Make sure your pets are equipped with sweaters or jackets if they have short fur or are vulnerable to the cold. Also, ensure that they’re microchipped in case they get lost in a snowstorm.
10. Prepare for Power Outages
Heavy snowstorms can knock out power. Stock up on flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food. Consider investing in a generator if power outages are common in your area.
By following these tips, you can ensure your car and garden are well-protected and ready to endure the cold Idaho winter.
