If you only think about your sprinkler system twice a year — when we winterize it in the fall and when we turn it back on in the spring — you might assume things go quiet at our shop between November and April.
They do not!
Late September is when our winterization season kicks into high gear here in Minnesota, and it’s also when we start laying the groundwork for everything that happens once the snow melts. Here’s what’s actually going on behind the scenes.
Right Now We’re Switching to Winterization Season
Late September through late October is our busiest stretch of the year because Minnesota’s first hard freeze can show up earlier than people expect, and once it does, any water left sitting in your irrigation lines can freeze, expand, and crack pipes, valves, and backflow preventers.
That’s why we’re blowing out systems with compressed air, draining lines, and shutting things down properly before the ground gets a chance to freeze. If you haven’t scheduled your blowout yet, now’s the time!
We’d rather get you on the schedule a few weeks early than have you calling us in a panic after the first cold snap.
Once the Snow Flies, We Shift to Snow Removal
When winterization wraps up, our crews shift over to snow removal for the season. It keeps our teams working through the winter months instead of sitting idle, and it means we’re still out in your neighborhood, on your property, plowing and clearing walks and lots throughout the coldest months.
It’s also a nice reminder that we’re a year-round operation — not just a company that shows up twice a year and disappears in between.
What else is happening behind the scenes? We’re Getting Ready for Spring!
While the snow removal crews are out working, our office is doing something just as important: getting ready for spring.
This is when we:
- Review and prep spring startup schedules so we can get to properties quickly once the ground thaws.
- Put together bids and estimates for new installations, system upgrades, and repair work that clients have been asking about.
- Order parts and equipment so we’re not scrambling for supplies the moment the weather breaks.
- Plan routes and crew schedules to make spring startups as efficient as possible.
Winter is really our planning season. It’s when we make sure that once spring hits, we’re not starting from scratch — we’re ready to hit the ground running.
What Does All This Mean for You and WHY Should You Care?
A few practical takeaways if you’re a customer (or thinking about becoming one):
- Book your winterization now. Late September is the sweet spot — early enough to avoid a freeze, late enough that we’re not draining a system you still need.
- If you’re thinking about a new system or an upgrade, winter is a great time to get on our bid list. We’re doing estimates now for spring installs.
- Snow removal and irrigation go hand in hand with us — one crew’s season winds down right as the other’s ramps up.
- Spring will come faster than you think. The properties that get prepped and bid out during winter are the ones that get serviced first once startups begin.
Winter isn’t a shutdown for us — it’s a shift. We go from blowing out systems, to plowing snow, to planning next season, all before the first blade of grass turns green again. If you want to be first in line for spring startup or you’re weighing a new irrigation project, now’s the time to reach out. Get on our schedule now.
