7 Things You Should Never Leave Outside in Winter — and How to Safely Store Them

Even a mild winter climate can ruin your belongings if they are left outside.

If you are still yet to winterize your backyard, there is still time to put away some of your more precious items to protect them from cold weather, and to prevent waste in allowing other less valuable items to decay.

These are seven garden items landscaping and garden experts say you should never leave outside in the winter and how to safely store them.

1. Outdoor Cushions and Pillows

Ideally, if you winterize outdoor furniture each year, you will have already put away your sun umbrellas and parasols. If not, there is still time before harsher weather strikes. Even if your umbrella is folded down, it can still be damaged by rain, snow and wind, which will degrade the fabric, cause marks and stains, and shorten its life over time.

"Unless you live somewhere warm and tropical, chances are you can do without using your patio umbrella in the winter months," says Landscape Designer Kat Aul Cervoni. "Taking it down and storing it indoors in a garage, basement, or damp-free shed will help prevent them from wearing down, getting dirty, and mildewing."

2. Umbrellas and Parasols

Just because outdoor pillows and cushions are called 'outdoor' doesn't mean they can stay outside all year round. It just means the fabric might be water-proof enough to hold up to a light summer rain shower. These items should be brought indoors for storage, as soon as wet weather beckons.

"Never leave any outdoor cushions or pillows outside during the winter," says Kat. "I store mine in the basement to keep them dry and clean during the winter. Anywhere that is covered and dry will work. They’ll last much longer this way."

3. Bags of Potting Soil

Bags of potting soil may seem like something that can withstand the vagaries of winter weather in your backyard. After all it's just soil, right? Wrong, and for good reason, according to Kat Aul Cervoni.

"Our winters in the northeast can be quite cold and damp with lots of freeze/thaw cycles," says Kat. "This can degrade nutrients in potting soil over time. It can also expose it to possible rodent infestation and moisture. I store bags of potting soil in our shed, to keep them fresh for use in the spring and summer."

4. Secateurs, Loppers and Pruning tools

When exposed to water, frost or ice over periods of time, wood warps, plastic degrades and metal corrodes. So your secateurs, loppers and other pruning tools will benefit from being kept clean and dry-even if the blades are top-grade steel. You can easily place your tool away in this TAKUKA Outdoor Storage Cabinet from Amazon or this Tote, Garden Tool bag from Burpee.

"Moisture is the enemy of secateurs and other steel pruning tools," says New York-based landscape designer, Kat Aul Cervoni, founder, Staghorn Living. "Keep them stored indoors (year round) to prevent rusting. A garage, shed or even waterproof storage bin is ideal for these."

5. Liquid Fertilizer and Chemicals

Organic lawn care is far better for your garden, your health and biodiversity. However, if you do use liquid fertilizer or chemicals in your yard, they need to be stored safely indoors in the winter.

"Liquid fertilizers and chemicals should not be left outside over the winter due to possible freezing temperatures causing a separation of the liquid or cracking of the container," explains Quinten. "These items should be kept in a place with consistent temperatures above freezing. Chemical sprayers, if you use them, should also be cleaned out and stored empty to avoid anything freezing in the container or lines."

6. Grass Seed

If you're on top of your lawn care and you've planned ahead and already bought seed for spring–or have some left over from last year–it's best to store bags and packets in a covered seed bin in your shed or garage.

"Grass seed should not be left outside over the winter due to freezing conditions and fluctuations in temperature, which could lower the germination rate," explains Quinten.

"Additionally, during the winter animals become more desperate for food and could eat some of the seed if it is accessible. It's best to store this in a dry place with consistent temperatures and protection from any hungry animals."

7. Outdoor Power Tools

Proper lawn mower storage is essential throughout the year, but especially in the winter. Snow, rain or damp weather can cause irreparable damage to machinery and other garden power tools, from rust and corrosion to poor battery performance.

It's not as simple as just shoving the lawn mower in the shed after it's been used either. It needs to be clean, dry and stored somewhere that's damp-free.

"Maintenance costs can be reduced when you store your mower properly," says Brad Ducat, manager, Bradley Mowers. "Regular upkeep is easier and less costly compared to repairing or replacing parts that have degraded due to improper storage conditions.

"Before storing, thoroughly clean the mower to remove grass clippings, dirt, and debris. This prevents corrosion and keeps the shed clean. If your mower has a gas engine, either run it until the tank is empty or add a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel degradation and carburetor issues," Bradley explains. "For mowers with batteries (usually on electric models), disconnect the battery and store it separately if the shed is not temperature-controlled. Sharpen the mower blades if necessary and consider applying a light coat of oil to prevent rust."

The expert adds, "Store the mower on the floor of a shed or garage, on a stable surface to prevent tipping. Ideally, use a mower mat or platform to protect the floor and mower. Finally, ensure the storage area is secure with a lock to prevent theft." We also recommend this Resin Outdoor Storage Shed from Amazon and this Suncast 34 Cubic Feet Capacity Horizontal Outdoor Storage Shed from Target.

"As well as lawn mowers; weedwackers, hedge trimmers, and other outdoor power tools should be stored in a dry location away from the elements," says Quinten O'Dea, founder, Q&A Landscaping in Pittsburgh. "It's okay for them to be cold but not wet or damp. Ensure they are clean and empty the old gas out of the tanks before storing them for the winter too."

FAQs

What can be left outside in the winter?

Some garden items should be able to withstand the elements. However, ensure that whatever you leave outside is not prone to being blown about in a gale.

"If space is an issue, keeping larger, non-mechanical items like wagons and wheelbarrows outdoors is generally ok," says Kat. "I just make sure to keep them tipped up on their side to prevent water from pooling in them over the winter months."

When water freezes it expands. This means any water residue left in items such as a hose pipe or sprinkler, that has been left outside, could turn to ice if the temperature drops to freezing. If they have not been drained down, this could cause pipes to burst or split.

"I find that leaving hoses outside during the winter is fine, as long as they have been drained and are hung or coiled in a bin or off the ground, to prevent freezing/thawing water inside which can break down the hose material," says Kat.

"Frost-proof planters can be left outside too, as long as they have adequate drainage. For any that aren’t currently in-use, I make sure to empty out any potting soil ahead of winter so that no bits of organic matter can hang on to moisture and cause potential damage over the winter."

We love these Tall planters from Amazon and this Geared Terracotta Indoor Outdoor Planter Pot from Target.