Until this week, we have had very little fall or winter weather this year. We were fortunate to be able to enjoy a long, beautiful fall. It seemed that the warm days and cool nights would go on forever.

It all came to an end this week. Not only is it much colder, we have had several major frosts this week that put a drastic stop to those beautiful fall flowers and lush green lawns we were enjoying.Maybe this is a signal to all of us that winter is finally here. Maybe this is a warning that the next three months may be much colder and much more miserable than what we experienced during the past several years. It may be a signal, but let's hope not.

Most of us have become very urbanized. We no longer have to go to the well out in the back yard to draw water. We hardly remember what it was like to bundle up to go outside to the johnny house. Very few of us have to feed and water farm animals, even when it gets very cold outside.

In spite of the conveniences we enjoy, let me use this opportunity to remind you of some of the things you might need to do just in case we have some really bad weather this winter. I am reminding you, because almost every year, people tell me stories about some of the horrible things that happened to them, and in almost all instances, those people make some statements about what they wish they had done to prevent the problems they had to deal with.

Although many of the big toys we enjoy, like 4-wheelers and motor bikes, have air-cooled engines, there are still a lot of the old water-cooled engines out there. Stop and think a minute. Are there any water-cooled engines around your home or farm. If so, all water-cooled engines should be checked to make sure there is adequate antifreeze in the radiator. The engine should be protected to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

If antifreeze is too expensive for you, or if the machine is not going to be used during the winter, it may be best to just drain the entire cooling system. If you do, just make sure you also drain the block and water jacket, not just the radiator. If you drain the water, don't forget to place a notice near the ignition switch to remind you that water should be added before the engine is started next spring.

Even if we are not farmers, we may have some sprayers, irrigation pumps, or irrigation systems that still contain water from the last time they were used. If so, the water should be drained from these units. If you can't completely drain the water from this equipment, you should add enough antifreeze to keep it from freezing.

Outside waterlines are often overlooked. Many times we just take for granted that it will not get cold enough for them to freeze. It is much easier to spend some time during a comfortable afternoon to properly protect outside water lines than it will be to spend several hours in the dark with the cold wind howling around your face trying to hold a flashlight in one hand and wrap up waterlines with the other hand.

Animals need as much water in cold weather as they do in hot weather. Cold weather is often accompanied by very low humidity which results in rapid evaporation or transpiration. Make sure you make arrangements ahead of time for your pets and livestock to have enough clean, fresh water during freezing weather. Make sure those waterlines to outside animal facilities are properly protected.

Almost all animals, except the very young or very small, can adapt very well to the cold periods we normally have in Robeson County as long as they are properly protected from the blowing wind. Many times the wind-chill factor will cause the effect of cold weather to be much more severe to animals than expected. Outside animals should be provided a place to bed that is protected from the blowing wind, along with an adequate amount of straw or other bedding material.

Plants should also be protected from the cold weather. Most times the only protection they require is sufficient mulch or straw around the roots to prevent rapid evaporation of water or to prevent hard freezing, so the roots of the plants cannot take up the water they need. Just because a plant is dormant does not mean that normal uptake of water has ceased.

Your home can also be made more comfortable and more energy efficient during severe cold weather by making a few simple adjustments. Towels or other cloth materials may be used in front of door sills to prevent cold air from blowing into the house. Simple insulators can be made from the white Styrofoam materials that meats are packed on to prevent cold air from coming into the house around light switch plates and receptacle outlets. Clear plastic sheeting can be used over windows to prevent cold air from coming into the house without distracting from the appearance of the house.

Use these ideas as gentle reminders that preparations should be made for the very cold weather that will soon be here. Again, it is much easier and much more comfortable to take care of these items while you have time and the weather is comfortable than it is to wait until it is already freezing cold outside.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 12/12/03