It took awhile, but several hours of continuous freezing temperatures are finally coming to Sacramento's 2014-2015 wintertime experience...on New Year's morning. The National Weather Service is forecasting a freeze watch for a wide swath of Northern California from New Year's Eve through January 2. Their prediction includes temperatures falling into the mid to upper 20's for eight or more hours during the night and early morning hours. "A FREEZE WATCH MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE. THESE CONDITIONS COULD KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION," warns the National Weather Service.
Further down the Central Valley, the Fresno and Bakersfield areas - prime citrus growing regions - are facing even more dire predictions of extended cold this week with temperatures predicted to dip to 21 degrees Thursday and Friday mornings. That's the classic definition of a hard freeze, deadly to plants, livestock, pets and water pipes.
Many of us learned to take hard freeze warnings seriously in 1990, when consecutive low morning temperatures of 22, 18, 21 and 23 in Sacramento descended upon us during the period of December 21-24. Temperatures did not get above 25 degrees in parts of the San Joaquin Valley for three to five days and all time record low temperatures were set at Sacramento, Stockton, and Bakersfield. Many records were set for duration of freezing temperatures. The agricultural industry was devastated as acres of trees, not just fruit, were destroyed. Thirty-three counties were disaster-declared.
Homeowners back then learned which plants don't like it cold (hibiscus, geraniums and other plants popular in the Bay Area and Southern California); and, which plants were the hardy survivors (another reason the oleander was chosen for the Highway 99 median strip).
• If it hasn't rained, water plants thoroughly, especially container plants.
• If possible, move sensitive container plants next to a south or west facing wall.
• Cover citrus and other sensitive plants with burlap, row cover fabric or sheets (be sure to keep the sheets dry). Tent plastic sheets on supports over the plants; don't let plastic touch plant leaves. A light bulb placed in such a plant can offer a few degrees of protection. For best protection, sheets should reach all the way to the ground around citrus trees and other freeze-susceptible plants.
• If using an anti-transpirant polymer coating material such as Wilt-Pruf or Cloud Cover, apply at the warmest time of the day, or at least six hours before an expected frost. Read and follow all label directions. If using these products, thoroughly water the plant before applying. In my opinion, use these coatings only as a last resort. Watering plants, moving plants or covering/adding heat to sensitive plants is a more effective strategy.
• Disconnect hoses and drip lines, removing end caps. Lay out straight, off the driveway and out of the path of vehicles. If possible, turn off any exterior water lines at the main; or, thoroughly wrap any exposed pipes and faucets.
• To prevent broken grass blades, don't walk on a frozen lawn.
• Remove the lowest sprinkler head on each line for drainage.
• To prevent frozen attic pipes, let lukewarm water trickle out of the indoor faucet farthest from the inlet. Also, let faucets with pipes running along an outer, north facing wall trickle during the night.
• Cover unprotected faucets and pipes, including any spa or pool equipment.
• To prevent cracking tile, run your pool and spa equipment during the freezing hours.
• Don't forget about your pets during a prolonged freeze. Bring them indoors at night. Move or replace their drinking water. Break up any frozen water in bird baths.
• Cover the worm bin, too! Or, move it indoors.
Further down the Central Valley, the Fresno and Bakersfield areas - prime citrus growing regions - are facing even more dire predictions of extended cold this week with temperatures predicted to dip to 21 degrees Thursday and Friday mornings. That's the classic definition of a hard freeze, deadly to plants, livestock, pets and water pipes.
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| Freeze Protection for Lemon Tree |
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| Frozen Hosta |
Many of us learned to take hard freeze warnings seriously in 1990, when consecutive low morning temperatures of 22, 18, 21 and 23 in Sacramento descended upon us during the period of December 21-24. Temperatures did not get above 25 degrees in parts of the San Joaquin Valley for three to five days and all time record low temperatures were set at Sacramento, Stockton, and Bakersfield. Many records were set for duration of freezing temperatures. The agricultural industry was devastated as acres of trees, not just fruit, were destroyed. Thirty-three counties were disaster-declared.
Homeowners back then learned which plants don't like it cold (hibiscus, geraniums and other plants popular in the Bay Area and Southern California); and, which plants were the hardy survivors (another reason the oleander was chosen for the Highway 99 median strip).
The
National Weather Service has a nifty Tabular Forecast chart link within
their "Additional Forecasts and Information" list at the bottom of
their local forecast page.
This tabular chart predicts the temperature, hour by hour, for the
selected location, for the next six days. This is probably more useful
for predicting the duration of freezing temperatures, rather than the
actual temperatures themselves. When those durations exceed four hours
at temperatures of 28 degrees or less, that's when plant damage can
become fatal to sensitive plants. Remember to pinpoint your own location
when using the local forecast page link by using the Google map embedded on that page to find your location.
Here's a last
minute checklist for your home and garden if the TV weather people (or panicky bloggers) tell
you upcoming morning low temperatures will be in the mid-20's:
• If it hasn't rained, water plants thoroughly, especially container plants.
• If possible, move sensitive container plants next to a south or west facing wall.
• Cover citrus and other sensitive plants with burlap, row cover fabric or sheets (be sure to keep the sheets dry). Tent plastic sheets on supports over the plants; don't let plastic touch plant leaves. A light bulb placed in such a plant can offer a few degrees of protection. For best protection, sheets should reach all the way to the ground around citrus trees and other freeze-susceptible plants.
• If using an anti-transpirant polymer coating material such as Wilt-Pruf or Cloud Cover, apply at the warmest time of the day, or at least six hours before an expected frost. Read and follow all label directions. If using these products, thoroughly water the plant before applying. In my opinion, use these coatings only as a last resort. Watering plants, moving plants or covering/adding heat to sensitive plants is a more effective strategy.
• Disconnect hoses and drip lines, removing end caps. Lay out straight, off the driveway and out of the path of vehicles. If possible, turn off any exterior water lines at the main; or, thoroughly wrap any exposed pipes and faucets.
• To prevent broken grass blades, don't walk on a frozen lawn.
• Remove the lowest sprinkler head on each line for drainage.
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| Protect exposed pipes around wells and pumps |
• To prevent frozen attic pipes, let lukewarm water trickle out of the indoor faucet farthest from the inlet. Also, let faucets with pipes running along an outer, north facing wall trickle during the night.
• Open cabinet doors to get more heat to the pipes. Close the garage door if water pipes pass through the garage.
• Setting your thermostat nightly at 55 can add needed heat to the attic pipes.
• If leaving the house for a vacation during an expected freeze, turn off the water to the house, and open up the faucet farthest from the inlet. Be sure to turn off your water heater.
• Setting your thermostat nightly at 55 can add needed heat to the attic pipes.
• If leaving the house for a vacation during an expected freeze, turn off the water to the house, and open up the faucet farthest from the inlet. Be sure to turn off your water heater.
• Cover unprotected faucets and pipes, including any spa or pool equipment.
• To prevent cracking tile, run your pool and spa equipment during the freezing hours.
• Don't forget about your pets during a prolonged freeze. Bring them indoors at night. Move or replace their drinking water. Break up any frozen water in bird baths.
• Cover the worm bin, too! Or, move it indoors.
I'm ready down in Bakersfield. Maybe my Granny Smith will finally SMTP blooming and drop its leaves. Next task, dormant spraying.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the cold!