Winterizing Your Rainwater System and More

We've had a few cold nights with frosts and borderline freezes.  Our tomatoes are still trying to ripen and the leaves haven't given up yet.  But as the cold sets in for good we want to make sure our water systems are prepared for winter. 

Freezing temperatures causes water to expand as it turns to ice.  As it expands it can cause damage to items that hold it.  Proper preparation can save you hard work and money.

Sprinklers, timers and hose nozzles should all be drained, and if possible stored in a garage or shed to keep snow and ice from accumulating in them.  We have an irrigation meter through the city that will also need the same treatment.  If you have very hard water now would be a good time to soak these overnight in a strong vinegar solution to remove or reduce the calcium deposits.  A good brushing afterwards might help extend their service life too.

This hose will need to be unrolled and drained or else trapped water in the bottom of the loops can stress the hose in these areas.  You can do this by placing it on a sloping area of your yard, or better yet a hill.  If you have in-ground irrigation, an air compressor will help clear the lines.

For your rainwater catchment you need to keep the same considerations in mind.  Water expands when it freezes, and keeping them free of rain, snow and ice until the season is over.  I'll explain several methods for winterizing your rain barrel and overflow system in this video.  I'll also show how to easily clear the sediment filter which should be done several times each year.

I hope you enjoyed this weeks post, and learned a little, or at least were reminded to care of the things that help you take care of your plants.

Thanks for checking in!