By Vanessa Hairston
Edited by Robert Hairston
Edited by Robert Hairston
So, you’ve winterized you Pressure Vacuum Breaker, but is that the only thing you need to worry about? Another important thing to do is to disconnect your garden hoses from any outdoor water valves and drain them of any water they might have. The easiest way to drain the hose(s) is to start at one of the ends and hold it upright. Do not release the hose completely but rather work your way to the other end of the hose while holding up one part at a time, you can also coil the parts of the hose you’ve done while you are draining the rest to save time.
You might be thinking “Why do I need to do this?” especially if you have never done this before and it’s worked out fine. Well, when temperatures drop below freezing, there is always a chance of the pipes, hoses, and couplings, the part connecting the hose to the hose bib (picture to right), freezing and breaking due to water getting caught and expanding when frozen. It is best to coil the hose loosely and store it away from the elements until spring or you need to use it again. You would do this to help prevent wear and tear and the need to go buy a new hose every year.
 | To those who want to change up your yard, now is the time to do it! Because it is cooler, it is easier and more comfortable to do that landscaping job you’ve been thinking about getting done. You can add, change, or remove, gravel, flagstone, mulch, and plants. having it done now is great for whoever is doing the work as it's not too cold nor is it sweltering outside. Xeriscaping (example left) now also helps keep heat shock from effecting any plants you currently have, are planting, or transplanting, during this transition. Any new trees, shrubs, and perennials (plants that don't die after one year and continue to grow year after year) introduced to your yard also have sufficient time to establish their root system before that intense summer heat hits. There are a few exceptions to planting at this time of year so make sure to check what's available and appropriate for your needs. |
You can focus on trimming certain trees and shrubs that are best to take care of this time of year. Deciduous shade trees (trees that drop their leaves every year) are good to trim after the leaves have dropped, although deadwood can be removed at any time. Evergreens can also be trimmed now that we've had some freezes. You DO NOT want to trim your fruit trees until February and trimming roses should wait until April according to Rose Society. The things you want to focus on trimming in trees are weak branches, ones that are crossing, skinny branches, suckers, and water sprouts. Suckers are generally located near the base of the tree trunks and look almost shrub like when growing (example below).
The trees are going to sleep and leaving us with a huge mess! Now that we have had a few freezes, the trees and many plants are settling down or finishing up for the winter. Remove leaves, dead plants, and weeds from your yard to prevent insects from nesting or disease from taking root and spreading. You can also spread mulch 3-4" thick around your plants to help regulate soil temperature, retain moisture throughout the year, and can also help prevent some weed growth. Also, while it may not be in your yard, another important thing to remember to do is make sure your gutters/drainage areas are clear for when it rains or snows. Doing this now can help prevent a leaky roof later.
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