2 Benefits to Irrigating Before a Cold Snap

Taking steps to irrigate before cold weather can be a crucial step to protect your lawn and crops from frost and colder temperatures. It may seem counterintuitive, but experienced farmers know irrigating crops will initially cause the temperature in the fields to decrease as evaporation occurs and then increase as the air temperature lowers during a cold front. However, once you understand how it works, you can use irrigation to your advantage as the temperatures drop.

Here are two noteworthy benefits your plants and lawn experience when you irrigate before cold weather:

#1: Frost Damage Prevention

Because water releases heat at a slower rate than air, watering your lawn can provide natural insulation that prevents frost damage. Irrigating one or two days before a cold snap will allow enough time for saturation and thorough insulation from frigid temperatures. In addition, with the slower heat release, the plants and grass blades have more warmth for longer periods, protecting them from frost.

#2: Root Hydration

Did you know drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to cold damage? Irrigation provides your lawn and plants the moisture they need to become stronger and healthier. Think of pre-freeze irrigation as an immune system booster! The healthier the plant cells are, the stronger the plants are and the more quickly they can fight off damage from frost and cold weather.

Implementing proper irrigation is an excellent way to keep your lawn and crops healthy all year. Contact the friendly irrigation experts at W.P. Law to get started with a plan to irrigate before a cold front and give your plants all the protection they need.

Winter Is Coming: 2 Tips for Maintaining Your Outdoor Kitchen

Are you looking for tips to achieve successful outdoor kitchen winterization? Just because winter is on its way doesn’t mean you have to close your outdoor kitchen for the season. Instead, taking some steps to winterize will allow you to maximize your outdoor kitchen winter use—even in the colder parts of the country. Here are our top tips to guide you, depending on the climate in your area.

#1: Cold Climate Outdoor Kitchen Winterization

For colder climates like in the northern parts of the U.S., here’s how to protect your kitchen and keep using it once winter hits:

  • Use Higher Cooking Temperatures: You can continue cooking in your outdoor kitchen during the coldest season. However, you may have to crank up the cooking temperature for your favorite recipes.
  • Wear Warm Clothing When Needed: Is snow falling? No problem. Bundling up will help you stay safe and comfortable as you work your culinary magic in the outdoor kitchen.  
  • Protect Kitchen Surfaces from Winter Weather: Protect surfaces like islands, countertops, and cabinets, from winter precipitation and freezing temperatures by covering them with a breathable material that doesn’t trap moisture underneath.
  • Winterize the Refrigerator: If the temperature outside is consistently below 40ºF, you will want to remove all food and drinks, clean it out thoroughly, and unplug the fridge. Running the refrigerator during cold weather can damage the appliance’s compressor.

#2: Mild Climate Outdoor Kitchen Winterization

Although you may not experience the prolonged hard freezes they encounter in the northern climates, you’ll still want to perform some basic outdoor kitchen winterization:

  • Maintain Grill and Surfaces as Usual
  • Cover Exposed Kitchen Surfaces as Needed
  • Winterize the Refrigerator

These steps are similar to what you would do in colder climates, but you’ll only need to take precautions if the temps drop. Many homeowners in mild climates can continue to use their outdoor kitchens, as usual, all year long.

Keep on Grilling with Proper Outdoor Kitchen Winterization

Need professional advice on how to perform outdoor kitchen winterization so you can keep grilling and cooking year-round? Contact the professionals at W.P. Law, Inc.

Why You Should Winterize Your Irrigation System

The growing season is over, but have you taken steps to winterize your irrigation system? Doing this is a crucial part of your annual lawn care that many homeowners neglect and then regret.

If you forget to winterize irrigation, it can lead to a damaged irrigation system that won’t work correctly when you need it again in the spring. Take a closer look at the benefits of winterizing your irrigation system and the steps to take for a successful winterization process.

Cold Climates: Winterization for Northern Areas

In the frigid temperatures of northern areas, your irrigation system won’t stand a chance without proper winterization. Water remaining in the pipes will freeze and expand and can cause everything from pipes and backflow devices to sprinkler valves and heads to burst or crack. As a result, you may have to deal with costly repairs and replacements.

Mild Climates: Winterization for Southern Areas

Even the mild climates in southern areas have the occasional hard freeze during the early morning hours. Maybe it doesn’t freeze for long, but the water remaining inside the irrigation system can still create irreparable damage to the system. That’s why winterization is crucial to protecting your irrigation, even if you live in the south.

Schedule Expert Services to Winterize the Irrigation System

Professional winterization will ensure the entire irrigation system is empty and ready for the winter, so it will start back up without issues in the spring.

Let the experts at W.P. Law, Inc. help you winterize your irrigation system effectively. Contact W.P. Law, Inc. today.

Seeding vs. Sod: Which Is Best for Your Yard?

Which is better: seeding or sod? It’s a question many homeowners have when they want to ensure their lawn is lush and healthy. The best way to answer the question is to consider your yard’s current factors and conditions.  

How to Decide If Your Lawn Needs Seeding or Sod

Lawn care experts agree that assessing the current state of your yard determines whether seeding or sod is appropriate. First, you’ll need to compare the sections of weeds and dead grass to healthy grass. For example, if the lawn contains more than 40-50% dead grass or weeds, your best option is to start your yard over with new sod.

On the other hand, if 50% or more of your lawn grass is healthy, performing manual weed control and planting grass seed should be sufficient.

Another factor to consider is the grass you are growing on your property. There are more grass varieties for seeding available than sodding. So if you have a specific grass variety you prefer, you’ll need to find out if it’s available in sod or if you will need to stick with seeding.

Sod Installation Is Best Left to the Pros

While you may take a DIY approach to seeding, sod installation is more complicated. It has a brief 24-hour period for transplanting and requires proper installation. Reach out to trusted professionals to set your lawn up for success.

Whether you choose seeding or sod or are still trying to determine the best next steps for your lawn, the team at W.P. Law is here to guide you. Contact W.P. Law, Inc. today to get started.

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