Fall is here which means winter is right around the corner.   For those of us that live in one of these wonderful states that has four distinct seasons and winters get COLD, below freezing, getting ready for winter is a small more work.   We live for our gorgeous summers when we can delight in outdoor water fountains on our deck and in our gardens, spend time gardening, even getting new, fun garden statues that we can delight in every day.   But, before the deep freeze there are a few vital things you must do if you have outdoor fountains or garden statuary. Cast stone, fiberglass and ceramic are typical materials used in outdoor decor as they are durable materials and lightweight enough to handle without too much distress.   These materials are made to withstand the elements but if it gets wet, freezes and thaws it can crack.   Below is a “how to” guide to keeping your garden fountains and statuary crack free and gorgeous this winter so when spring comes you can start enjoying! If size permits simply drain your fountain and bring it to your garage or shed.   With tiered fountains you can sometimes disassemble them to store them.   With large outdoor fountains or heavy cast stone fountains this is not always possible so you will want to take other steps to winterize your fountain. Before the freezing weather comes drain all water out of your fountain.   This is the most vital thing you can do. Remove the fountain pump if possible and store it indoors.   This is a fantastic time clean your pump thoroughly so debris, algae and dirt don’t sit in and on the pump all winter. It is recommended that you buy a fountain cover for your garden statues or fountains.   This will keep moisture out.   Outdoor fountain covers are waterproofed and UV stabilized and have a drawstring at the bottom for ultimate protection.   They also come in many sizes so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that will fit the size of your fountain or statues. If you don’t plot to cover your outdoor fountain you must place some type of blankets, towels or other absorbant material in the basin of your fountain and the tiers.   Water must not get in the fountain and freeze as it will cause the fountain to crack.   Hopefully these tips help you prepare for winter.   A fountain cover will last you years and may be the best investment you can make to keep your garden fountains and statuary gorgeous for many years.