As the gardening season winds down, there’s plenty to do before winter arrives. You’ve raked the leaves, put away the lawn mower, and maybe even given your garden beds one last cleanup. But you might be forgetting one thing: your garden hose.

It might seem harmless to leave your hose on its reel or hang it safely on the side of the house until spring. After all, it’s designed to handle the elements, right? Well, not exactly.

Freezing temperatures, trapped water, and improper storage can shorten your hose’s lifespan, leaving you with cracks, leaks, or an unexpected trip to the hardware store come spring.

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The good news? A little attention now can save you money and frustration later.

5 Things to Do Before Putting Your Garden Hose Away for Winter

1. Disconnect It From the Outdoor Faucet

First things first: Unscrew your garden hose from the outdoor spigot. Even if you’ve already shut off the water supply, leaving a hose attached can trap water where you don’t want it. When temperatures drop below freezing, that trapped water can expand and damage the faucet or plumbing.

If your outdoor faucet has an indoor shutoff valve, close it and drain the line according to your faucet’s instructions. Frost-free faucets also need their hoses disconnected to drain properly.

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This simple step could prevent a much more expensive plumbing problem.

2. Drain Every Last Drop of Water

This might be the most important step. Water left inside a garden hose can freeze, expand, and split the material.

According to Oregon State University Extension Service, one easy way to drain a hose is to run it over an elevated surface and let gravity do the work. Start at one end and gradually work your way toward the other, keeping the remaining hose elevated enough to encourage the water to flow out.

And don’t assume that just because water has stopped pouring out, the hose is completely empty. Low spots and kinks can hold onto small amounts of moisture. A few extra minutes of draining could mean the difference between a hose that works and one that leaks next spring.

Related: 7 Things to Do for Your Lawn in October for Greener Grass Next Spring

3. Remove Nozzles and Check for Damage

Before you pack everything away, remove spray nozzles, sprinklers, quick-connect fittings and other attachments.

Empty any remaining water from these accessories, too. Plastic fittings and spray nozzles can crack when water freezes inside them.

This is also a good opportunity to inspect your hose for cracks, worn connections, damaged rubber washers and small leaks. Replace inexpensive washers or fittings now, and you’ll have one less thing to deal with when gardening season returns.

Think of it as a little spring cleaning, just a few months early.

4. Coil It Loosely to Prevent Kinks

Resist the temptation to twist your garden hose into the tightest possible bundle to save storage space. Instead, coil it into large, loose loops that follow the hose’s natural curve. Sharp bends and tight kinks can weaken the material over time, especially as it loses flexibility in cold temperatures.

A hose reel or hanger can help keep everything organized without putting unnecessary stress on the hose.

Make sure the hose is completely drained before coiling it. Otherwise, you could trap water in the loops.

5. Store It Somewhere Protected

Once your hose is disconnected, drained, inspected and coiled, find it a winter home. A garage, basement, or protected shed is generally better than leaving it exposed to freezing temperatures, sunlight and changing weather conditions.

The University of Maryland Extension recommends draining hoses before freezing weather and storing them in a garage or shed to help them last longer. If possible, keep your hose off the ground and away from sharp tools or heavy objects that could damage it.

Can You Leave a Garden Hose Outside All Winter?

Technically, yes. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best idea.

Oregon State University Extension Service says a garden hose can stay outdoors in winter as long as it’s completely drained. However, repeated temperature changes can cause the material to age faster, potentially shortening its useful life to just a few seasons.

So, while leaving a drained hose outside isn’t necessarily a recipe for disaster, bringing it indoors or storing it somewhere protected is the better long-term investment.

After all, you’ve already done the hard work of putting your garden to bed for winter. Your garden hose deserves a little TLC, too.

Related: Don’t Make This Common Fall Cleanup Mistake—Your Garden Will Thank You Come Spring