Plan to remove hoses and turn off the water to outside faucets 2 weeks before the first average fall freeze. In most regions with freezing winters, October or November is the best month to winterize your hoses and hose bibbs. The longer you leave a hose attached in cold weather, the greater the risk of water pipes in your exterior walls. Take these steps to prevent burst outdoor pipes:. In most cases, the water flow to your exterior faucet is controlled by a water shutoff valve on the pipe. Your shutoff valve is typically located indoors, in a basement, crawlspace, or utility closet.
Find where the water line that feeds your hose enters your home and search for the shutoff valve. Turn the valve all the way to the right clockwise to close it. This will shut off water to the hose. By turning off the water flow to the hose, you take the first step in protecting your pipes from damage. Pipes burst when water trapped inside them freezes and expands. You may not notice a water leak right away, but it will make itself apparent once temperatures rise enough to melt the ice.
In many cases, the valve and hose on the outside of your home will be frozen solid, making removing the hose difficult or impossible. The best way to thaw an outdoor faucet and hose is by directing warm air onto it with a blow dryer or heat gun. This process works better than pouring warm water on the faucet. Water can refreeze and create a larger issue. Hold the blow dryer or heat gun 1—4 inches 5—15 cm away from the valve and hose connection.
Work slowly, allowing the heat tool to melt away the ice. This will free the hose for removal and allow the faucet handle to turn. With the hose and faucet thawed, disconnect the hose from the bibb itself. Remove the sprayer nozzle from the end of the hose if one is attached.
Drain out any water remaining in the nozzle. Allow the nozzle to dry before storing it for the winter. Coil the garden hose into large loops about 2 feet in diameter. Inspect the coiled hose to ensure it isn't pinched or kinked. Coil each section of garden hose separately. Swan notes that coiling a hose into a tighter configuration can lead to breaks in the hose, even if it is protected from the freezing elements.
Secure the coil with a tie wrap, if desired. Screw the two ends of the hose together. This keeps the hoses clean over the winter and prevents unraveling of the loops. Place the hose in a shed, garage or other storage area. The location should be dry and free from any weathering elements until spring. Hoses can be stored outside as long as you make sure to drain all of the water from the hose.
Hoses can be drained easily by running them over a tall place where gravity forces water to exit the hose. This ensures that the hose won't split when any residual water freezes. However, while hoses can be stored outside if necessary, be aware that the temperature swings even if completely drained can and will cause the hose material to age at a faster rate and the hose will not last more than a few seasons.
As you clean the fireplace, do your plants a favor and sprinkle the ashes in the garden instead of throwing them in the garbage. Oct 22, News story. Gardeners tend to think of fall as the time to put bulbs in the ground, but the warm soil and increasing moisture make it a great time to plant most anything. Information about garden planning, maintenance, cleanup, pest management, houseplants and indoor gardening for the month of November.
Information about garden planning, maintenance and clean up, pest monitoring and management, houseplants, and indoor gardening for the month of October. Kym Pokorny Mar 9, News story. As Oregon gardeners have noticed, our climate is changing.
This is primarily due to human activities releasing excessive greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over the last years. Spider mites are common, tiny garden pests, related to spiders and ticks. Usually microscopic, mites can be found in almost any habitat, including the human body. We refer to some mites based on where they are found: cheese Sep 23, News story.
Plus, Extension related news and education. Lists materials needed to build a cloche, then provides step-by-step instructions for building.
Includes color photographs with close-up inserts to show the building process.
0コメント