TechNotes Tips - Winter Conditions Archive

During periods of frost minimize foot traffic across turf. Walking across a frosted turf can rupture frozen cells in the leaves causing leaf death. Frost damage is rarely lethal unless the crown is damaged. Traffic across a turf can resume after the frost has dissipated.

Winterizing irrigation systems: In those areas of the country where soil temperatures can reach freezing or below, winterizing irrigation systems is a necessity. Leaving water in the irrigation lines can cause freezing leading to the bursting of the pipe. Damage will show up next spring in the form of leaks when the irrigation system is used. "Blowing-out" the irrigation system with compressed air is the major means of winterizing irrigation systems.

Homeowners should unhook any hoses attached to outdoor water faucets where temperatures will drop below freezing. By leaving hoses attached, water can freeze in the hose and not only split the hose but may result in damage to the water faucet. Hoses should also be detached from water faucets located in garages. Freezing temperatures can occur in garages, causing similar damage to that of outside faucets.

Snow and ice that spread up the east coast of the U.S. during late Jan. 2000 buried and snarled transportation from Georgia to New York. In the southeastern U.S. where snow and ice removal generally revolves around rising temperatures, the extended cold weather had many homeowners concerned about their landscape plants. Breakage of plant material by snow and ice is caused by their weight and improper removal. High winds can compound damage when ice is on the plants. Snow that is collecting on shrubs should be removed immediately with a broom. Always sweep upward which lifts the snow off the branches. Brushing downward can put additional pressure on the branches sagging from ice and snow causing breakage.

Freeze injury to turfgrasses becomes a concern to many turfgrass managers when cold temperatures arrive in January. In TechNotes Volume 3 issue 2 the killing temperatures were given for many of the common lawn turfs. Turfgrass plants are the most cold hardy during January. Most freeze or cold temperature kill occurs during freezing/thawing cycles in the late winter/early spring. Heavy snows act as a blanket preventing wide temperature fluctuation during winter.

Desiccation, or drying out, is a significant cause of winter damage on evergreens. Desiccation is simply water leaving the plants faster than it can be taken up. The needles and leaves of evergreens transpire some moisture even during the winter months. During severe cold weather, the soil can freeze, effectively eliminating water uptake by the evergreen roots. Water loss from transpiration is greatest on days that are generally mild, sunny and windy. The heat from the sun causes the stomates on the lower sides of the leaves to open (increasing transpiration). Injury is seen as burned evergreen needles or leaves. Damage is worse on the tree side facing the wind, and can be serious to plants near white houses that receive reflected light.

Broad-leafed evergreens showing leaf damage from desiccation and/or winter injury will usually produce new leaves if branches and vegetative leaf buds have not been severely injured. Prune to remove badly damaged or broken branches.

Snow buildup on landscape plants should be avoided. If significant amounts of snow accumulate on shrubs, removal by brushing the snow off with a broom is advised. Sweeping the snow off the shrubs should be in an upward fashion so that the snow is lifted off. The two main causes of breakage from snow and ice are due to the weight and careless removal.

Winter damage to ornamentals can be avoided by planning ahead. Use plant materials that are known to be winter hardy.

Frost during autumn occurs on a more frequent basis. Avoid mowing turf when frost is present. Mowing can result in damage to the leaf blades. As long as the crown is not damaged, the turf should come back from any frost injury.