Chaffee County has seen warm and dry weather most of September, but experience has shown us that a frost or freeze could come at any time. Get your landscape ready and have a plan in place for when the forecast predicts chilly temps. You won't always have much notice. Hard freezes typically involve temps at 28 degrees or below for a minimum of four hours. A frost can occur at or below the freezing mark of 32 degrees if the humidity is high.
If you see a frost warning, here are three things you can do:
Cover tender annual veggies and flowers. Use fabric household items such as towels and sheets to cover plants and hold in warmth. Place tomato cages over plants to support the fabric if plants might break under the weight of fabric and snow. Snow is a good insulator to hold in warmth, but heavy snow on top of fabric can also crush plants beneath it. Avoid using plastic to cover plants as it will not protect against frost.
Harvest selected plants. Cut potential losses by harvesting tender tomatoes, basil, and other plants you value most if you don't want to risk losing them to a freeze. Basil can be placed in a vase of water to prolong its shelf life or it can be dried. Tomatoes will turn from green to red indoors, though their sugar content and sweetness will not increase after picking.
Protect your sprinkler system. If your sprinkler system has not yet been winterized, protect the back flow prevention device, which is the U-shaped device above ground, usually located near the foundation. Because it is above ground, the device is vulnerable to freeze damage and costly repairs. Identify it now and gather supplies to have on hand in case of freeze. Then, when cold temperatures are predicted, follow these steps:
Wrap the back flow with a blanket or heavy towel for insulation.
Cover it with a plastic garbage bag to keep moisture away from the pipes.
Tape the plastic bag in place around the base with duct tape.
Turn your irrigation control box dial to the OFF position.
Also, remember to disconnect hoses from spigots.
The next morning, remember to uncover plants so they and the soil can enjoy warming sunlight. Protective covering for the back flow can remain in place until your system is winterized.
Contact Kayette to get on our irrigation winterization schedule. We will be doing fall blowouts from October 11 to 26.
Photo Credit: https://lovinlife.com/preventing-frost-damage/
References
Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (2019, Oct. 4). Tip of the Week: Fall Frost. https://www.alcc.com/tip-of-the-week-email
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