North Texas Winter Prep Tips from Johnson Feed
November weather can keep us guessing, y’all! One day it’s short sleeves, and the next we’re digging out winter coats. We all know how quickly a North Texas cold front can roll through. And once freezing temperatures show up in the forecast, everybody seems to need faucet covers and frost cloth at the same time!
Don’t wait until the first hard freeze to get ready. Here’s what to check around your place before winter weather arrives.
Protect Your Outdoor Faucets and Pipes
Frozen pipes can cause some expensive headaches. A few simple precautions now can save you trouble later.
- Cover outdoor faucets with insulated faucet covers.
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses before freezing temperatures arrive.
- Protect exposed pipes around garages, barns and outbuildings.
- Check your sprinkler system and winterize exposed components according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t forget those outdoor faucets you don’t use very often!
Get Your Lawn and Plants Ready for a Freeze
Here’s a tip folks sometimes overlook: If your soil is dry, give your lawn and landscape plants a good watering before a hard freeze.
Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil and can help protect plant roots during extreme cold. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends making sure plants have adequate soil moisture before freezing weather.
Water while temperatures are still above freezing, and give it time to soak in. If the ground is already moist, skip the extra watering.
A few other things to remember:
- Have frost cloth ready to cover cold-sensitive plants.
- Move potted plants into a protected spot when possible.
- Add mulch around trees and shrubs to help moderate soil temperatures.
- Keep an eye on St. Augustine lawns, which can be especially sensitive to severe cold.
Want to know more? Read our blog, Don’t Let Dry Soil Catch You Off Guard!, for tips on watering before a freeze.
Check Your Generator and Emergency Supplies
If the power goes out during a winter storm, you’ll be glad you planned ahead.
Test your generator before you need it. Check the oil, fuel and connections, and make sure you know how to operate it safely.
Remember, generators must always run outdoors, well away from windows, doors and vents. Never operate one in a garage or enclosed building.
Now’s also a good time to stock up on:
- Drinking water and shelf-stable food
- Flashlights, batteries and power banks
- Propane and other appropriate emergency fuel
- Pet food, livestock feed and other animal essentials
- And don’t forget to check your animals’ water supplies. Frozen troughs and waterers can become a problem in a hurry.
Winterize Your Equipment
Your mower, tractor and other equipment deserve a little attention before winter, too. Check the oil, fuel, filters, batteries and blades. Clean up equipment before storing it, and take care of needed repairs while you’ve got time.
Getting maintenance handled now beats discovering a problem when you’re ready to get back to work in spring!
Get Stocked Up Before the Cold Gets Here!
North Texas weather doesn’t always give us much warning. But having the right supplies on hand can make the next cold front a whole lot easier to handle. From faucet covers and frost cloth to propane and winter supplies, we’re here to help you get ready.
Come see us and let’s get your place ready for winter!
