Mother Nature usually strikes every winter with temperatures below freezing that damage Arizona Landscapes.  Some winters are worse than others and the most harmful is when you have consecutive nights of severe frost.  Most of the freeze damage occurs very early in the morning hours as the sun begins to rise.  

Generally, we say by the second week of February we can rule out the potential of another freeze.  However, San Tan Landscape watches the extended forecast before starting to prune and clean up your landscape.  Many clients have called our office asking what to do.  The main thing we say is "Be Patient".  We know the brown plants are an eye sore, but we want to try and save as many plants as possible.       

Do not prune or trim your trees and shrubs too early.  Removing leaves or dead wood too soon will encourage new growth which could be exposed to additional cold temperatures further damaging plant material.  Some shrubs will not survive and will require replacing.  Do not apply fertilizer or growth hormones.  Encouraging early spring growth could result in further damage if we experience additional cold temperatures.

Keep plants well watered.  Soil temperature is very important.  You want to retain as much heat as possible so roots do not freeze.  Keep soil around plants and trees mulched or leave all the dropped leaves under trees until the cold has passed.  The use of burlap or ground cover cloth is best for covering.  I've even seen homeowners place christmas lights on top of trees and shrubs under the cloth or burlap so the heat from the lights help not to freeze their landscape.  As a last resort, install heaters or hope for warmer temperatures. 

Every winter we have seen some damage to "PVB" Pressure Vacuum Breakers and "BFP" Back Flow Preventors.  Freezing temperatures creating expansion and contraction of plastic parts and O-Rings have been disabled or started leaking.  Some PBC fittings exposed to the elements or age have cracked or separated at the point of connection from freezing temperatures.  Please watch these areas for leaks.  We are currently checking irrigation systems on our service days.  If you think you have a problem please give us a call.  Water leaks can cause damage and increases your water bill.