Shorewood wraps around the south shore of Lake Minnetonka, with Christmas Lake, quiet wooded streets, and spots like Freeman Park in between. It has a quieter, more spread out feel than many suburbs, and plenty of homes sit on bigger, sloped, or wooded lots.
That mix brings its own list of chores, and this guide covers Shorewood property care through the year.
Watering rules in Shorewood
Shorewood’s sprinkling rules are simple to remember. From May 1 through September 30, lawn and garden sprinkling is allowed only before 11 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. There is no odd and even day schedule. Hand watering flower beds is fine any time, as long as someone is holding the hose.
The city’s water page has the details.
The best time to water is still early morning. The air is calm, less water evaporates, and the grass dries off during the day, which helps keep disease down.
City water or a private well
Not every Shorewood home is on city water. The city system serves about 1,600 connections, and a number of homes still rely on private wells. If yours does, the city notes that testing your well water is the homeowner’s job.
Well water matters for exterior care too. Well water is often hard, and if your sprinklers hit the house, the minerals can spot windows and siding over time. Turning the heads away from the house saves a lot of scrubbing later.
Lake-friendly lawn care
With so many yards sloping toward Lake Minnetonka or Christmas Lake, a few habits make a real difference.
- Skip phosphorus. Minnesota law doesn’t allow phosphorus lawn fertilizer without a soil test or a new lawn. Look for a zero as the middle number on the bag.
- Sweep it up. Fertilizer, clippings, and leaves on the driveway or street end up in storm drains and then in the lake.
- Mow high. Taller grass holds soil and slows runoff on slopes.
- Feed in fall. Early August through mid October is the best time to fertilize and aerate. See our Minnesota lawn care calendar.
Wooded lots and gutters
Big trees mean big leaf drops, and Shorewood’s wooded lots are no exception. Plan on a fall cleanup once most of the leaves are down, and a gutter cleaning before the snow. In Hennepin County, yard waste can’t go in the garbage, so use compostable bags for hauler pickup or take it to a yard waste site.
If you have oaks, avoid pruning or wounding them from April through July. That is when oak wilt spreads most easily.
Windows, siding, and decks
Lake homes in Shorewood tend to have big windows facing the water, decks that take a lot of weather, and shady sides that grow mildew. A yearly soft wash for the siding, a careful cleaning for the deck, and spring and fall window cleaning cover most homes. Lake-facing glass may want a midsummer touch-up too.
Winter
Longer and sloped driveways are common on Shorewood’s larger lots, and they take more work to clear and keep safe. Mark the edges before the ground freezes, keep snow out of the street, and go easy on salt. Salt doesn’t work well below about 15 degrees, and what melts off ends up in the lake.
Warm attics and clogged gutters are what cause ice dams, so a clean gutter going into winter is your first line of defense.
How we help Shorewood homeowners
Our own crews handle lawn care, power washing, window and gutter cleaning, snow removal, and holiday lighting in Shorewood and across the southwest metro. In 2027, licensed, insured partners that we manage add painting, handyman work, and cleaning.
Book a single service, or bundle the whole year in a membership plan with priority scheduling and member savings. We are booking now for 2027. Request a free quote, or call or text (612) 977-3662.
Questions from Shorewood homeowners
When can I water my lawn in Shorewood?
From May 1 through September 30, sprinkle only before 11 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. Shorewood doesn’t use an odd and even day schedule.
My home is on a well. Does that change anything?
It may mean harder water, so keep sprinklers off your windows and siding. The city notes that testing a private well is up to the homeowner.
Do you serve homes right on the lake?
Yes. We serve homes on and off the water across Shorewood.
