Unpredictable temperatures in a typical North Texas winter may be confounding to new residents and anyone struggling to keep a landscape looking good—but free advice from local horticulture experts is just a click away. Here are a few ways Texans can reduce damage to their homes and landscapes when the temperatures are expected to drop to freezing or below, from recent Texas A&M AgriLife Extension online articles:
- Water thoroughly, when temperatures rise above 45 degrees or higher the day before a freeze. Well-watered plants survive freezes better than drought-stressed ones. Make sure only the soil (and not the leaves) is moist when freezing temperatures are expected.
- Turn your irrigation controller or timer to off
- Unhook hoses and cover hose bibs
- Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch to protect plant roots
- Cover plants susceptible to damage from cold weather with frost cloths or blankets
- Leave dead growth on perennials and many woody plants until late winter or early spring.
- Protect vulnerable pipes in attics or exterior walls; shield pipes from direct wind, which accelerates freezing.
- Keep pets indoors, especially those that are short-coated, small, underweight, elderly or very young.
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