Welcome to the new year!
Did your landscape look like any of these pictures recently?? Those beautiful icicles and “snowy” grass is a hint that you have probably left your irrigation system on and it ran during the freezing temperatures we’ve recently had. Please, go turn them off now!
I will admit that I like to go drive around town the morning of a freeze to see who has left their systems on. It’s very dangerous–with frozen sidewalks and streets, but also a little humorous. I hope to not have a picture of your house or business!
Having the irrigation system on in freezing temperatures can cause a lot of damage to the system–freezing pipes and heads, which can cause broken pipes and heads, and then leaks. This means water waste and higher water bills! It can also damage the plants, being coated with water that freezes is hard on the plant and could essentially freeze it to death. You don’t want any of that!
Having your irrigation system on during the winter months is also not recommended since we’re still in waste water averaging mode. 
The less water you use from November through February, the lower your wastewater (or sewer) charges will be the rest of the year. Find more on wastewater averaging here.
Here’s a quick list of things to do to protect your irrigation and landscape investments during freezing temperatures:
- Turn off your irrigation system. (Reasons stated above.)
- Compost and mulch outdoor plants thoroughly. These two layers will help insulate the plant’s root zones while supplying the plant with needed nutrients. Two inches of mulch is ideal, and remember, not too close to the trunk of trees or shrubs. Mulch should be about two finger widths away from the truck.
- Water well, but avoid moisture on the plant leaves and stems–this means hand-water. No irrigation use (of course, underground drip is fine). Water saturated soil holds heat better than dry soil. Keep damaged plants well watered, but be aware that plants needs much less water in cooler months.
- Water only when temperatures rise above 45 degrees or higher the day before a freeze.
During most winters, supplemental watering isn’t necessary. Think about your landscape, and water bill, before adding additional water in the winter.
