The weather is expected to be wintry with temperatures below zero in most parts of the state during the next week. Here are some tips from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts on how to protect plants, pipes and pets from the cold.
The AgriLife Extension Disaster Education Network also has multiple resources for Texans to access and prepare for any potential severe winter weather.
Protect your pets during winter weather
Experts at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, shared some tips on caring for pets during winter weather.
– Pets must be kept indoors during the day and at night. If dogs must be left outside for any time, they should have a draft-proof shelter large enough to stand and turn around in, but small enough to retain body heat. Use a layer of straw or other bedding material to help insulate it from the cold. Make sure the entrance faces away from oncoming wind and snow.
– Keep cats indoors. Keep in mind that cats left outside in cold weather seek shelter and warmth under the hood and can be injured or killed when the engine is running. Loudly banging on the hood several times before starting the engine will help avoid tragedy.
– Be aware of pets around salt and deodorants. Salt and chemicals found on sidewalks to combat ice buildup can irritate the skin and be ingested. Clean your pets' paws, legs and stomachs well to prevent ingestion of toxic substances and to keep their pads from drying out and becoming irritated. Signs of toxic substance ingestion include excessive drooling, vomiting, and depression.
Winter is also a good time to leave pets' coats a little longer than usual to provide them with as much warmth as possible.
Protect plants from freeze damage
Frost and freeze can damage or kill exposed plants, especially those in containers, said Lisa Whittlesey, AgriLife Extension program specialist and international coordinator for the Junior Master Gardener Program, Bryan-College Station. Damage can vary greatly between plant varieties, and cold-sensitive plants will require greater protection than hardier plants.
AgriLife Extension contains comprehensive information about protecting landscape plants and horticultural crops from frost and freeze.
Watering the plants and making sure they don't dry out before freezing temperatures arrive can help, Whittlesey said. Watering just before a freeze can help because water generates warmth and loses heat slowly.
“Plants that suffer from drought are more susceptible to cold,” she said. “And if you can't bring a plant indoors, the best option is to cover it, remember to put it in a place that gets enough sunlight and water it.”
Plants in containers should be moved inside the house or garage, any space where temperatures remain above freezing.
If container plants cannot be moved indoors, place them on the south side of the house, water them well and pile them on mulch, leaves or straw to protect the roots and/or cover them with a frost blanket. Landscape plants sensitive to cold can also be covered with similar protection.
When covering plants, wrap them in cardboard or cloth on the ground and secure them, she said. The idea is to trap enough warm air escaping from the soil to protect plants from deadly freezes.
Hanging holiday lights around sensitive plants and covering them with fabric can provide protection from light freeze, she said.
Protect pipes from freezing
When it comes to freeze damage to homes, protecting exposed pipes is crucial when temperatures drop below freezing. AgriLife Extension has tips for preventing and thawing frozen pipes during severe weather.
Homeowners should protect pipes around the house or in well houses now when the weather is good, said Joel Page, AgriLife Extension program specialist and Texas Well Owner Network coordinator, Bryan-College Station.
Water pipes can freeze and burst when the outside temperature reaches 20 degrees or below, but Page says take precautions any time temperatures drop below freezing. Pipes with northern exposure face an increased risk of freezing.
“It is better to act early, rather than when the storm comes,” he said. “Prepare now because supplies of insulation and parts may be limited during the rush for materials needed to protect pipes before freezing temperatures arrive.”
Exposed pipes, including outdoor faucets, sprinklers, plumbing in basements, crawl spaces, attics or garages, pipes running along exterior walls, and pool and well house supply lines are especially vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
Leaving the water running a little helps during prolonged freezing temperatures, he said, and heat lamps to raise temperatures in less insulated spaces with pipes such as well houses or basements can help prevent outages.
Outdoor water systems should be drained and covered or allowed to drip slowly to help protect against damage, he said.
Many protective products for water pipe insulation such as sleeves, insulation or heat tape are available from local plumbing supply retailers. Newspaper can also provide some protection for exposed pipes, as long as the exposure is not prolonged.
Foam faucet covers also add protection to the area prone to freezing, he said.
“Sheets cost about $4, and insulation or heat tape is very inexpensive compared to paying for repairs,” he said. “Adding protections to any weak points is a good investment against short-term freezes.”
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