When does the ground typically freeze in my area would you say?

13 years ago

I wonder if it really does completely freeze here at all because of all the luscious snow cover we have. It keeps the ground warmer.

I'm still watering all my trees once a week. I planted 2 new October Glory's the first week of October, and I especially want to give them the needed supplementation until the very last moment. My sandy rocky "speedy gonzales" draining soil can take it. It doesn't matter how much water I pour it drains within seconds.

We're having temps in the 50's next week so I doubt the ground will freeze before mid December. Any thoughts? I guess in a round about way Im asking when I should bring in the hose. lol I live next door to a tree farmer and he doesn't do ANY watering of his trees, not even in the summer! None. They're all conifers. I don't know how he can stand that.

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Comments (5)

brandon7 TN_zone7
13 years ago
The easiest way to find out when to expect your soil to freeze would probably be to contact your county agricultural extension office (linked below). They are a free service set up to help people with exactly that type of info and advise, and should be very familiar with your local conditions. With temperatures in the 50s, I don't think you will have to worry about the ground freezing really soon.

Have you checked your soil to see if it's drying out between supplemental watering? Depending on your weather and conditions, you may not really need to be doing a lot of extra watering right now. Of course with extra sharp drainage, maybe you do.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County
ilovemytrees
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Brandon, I am sorry I didn't get back on here sooner to thank you but I was in a car accident, and then my 5 year old little girl has apparently gotten influenza even though she's had the flu shot and has since she was a baby. So I haven't been on here to respond in thanks.

Yes, about my soil, it really is amazing. The tree farmer next door says you couldn't overwater our soil if you tried. It's all rock and sandy loam. This is the land of the sugar maple and the Christmas tree. I'm surrounded in all directions by all of them.

I came on here and asked because Ive never planted a tree in the fall, so I wanted to make sure these 2 trees got a good long drink before the ground freezes. Thank you again for responding, Brandon,and I really appreciated your link to my CCE. That was really terrific of you to go and look that up for me. Much obliged. I'll give them a call on Monday and see what they say. We're going to be getting 2 inches of snow per hour overnight tonight so I brought the hose in as I'd likely not find it come morning! lol
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brandon7 TN_zone7
13 years ago
Hope the car wreck wasn't too bad and that your little girl gets well soon. It sounds like something that would happen to me. Every time I ask a question on here or post a seed or plant offer, it seems like everything goes haywire and I can't get back on for days.

I think you'll find the CCE helpful, but feel free to come back and ask us questions!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
The easiest way to find out when to expect your soil to freeze would probably be to contact your county agricultural extension office (linked below).

===>>> no.. that is the laziest way .. lol ... the easiest would be to keep a trowel handy.. and go out and dig a small hole once a week AND FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR YARD ...

i gotta tell you though ... no matter how magical your soil.. and evidenced by your neighborly tree farm.. i see NO reason why a dormant tree needs that much water this late in the season ...

YOU ONLY WATER WHEN IT NEEDS WATER.. and i find it a bit unbelievable.. that your finger says your soil is totally dry every week .... this late in November ...

we are not all that interested in the surface... is it really dry an inch or two down???

if the pro next door.. NEVER waters his trees... why does yours need all that water???

you are on the verge of making this tree into another child... and trying to love it to death ... let it dry and do not water again.. until the your finger.. inserted to the second digit indicates the soil is dry ... and that might not be until late winter ... if not late spring ...

good luck

ken

PS: i dont understand what ground freeze has to do with it at all ... [in my z5 .. the ground freezes some time after 1/1] .... i dont understand why you think you need to drown the thing until the soil freezes ....
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
There is no magic date that determines when soils freeze. It depends on the air temperatures over a period of time, soil moisture, soil type and any coverage (mulches, dense plantings, snow cover, etc.) Very generally, air temperatures must be below 24F for an extended period (longer than just one night) for soils to freeze. Loose soils freeze easier than dense soils, as there is greater pore space, allowing for the formation of ice crystals in between.

So obviously when soils freeze is highly dependent on weather conditions. ACOE studies on this topic conducted in Minnesota indicated a range of dates as far apart as mid-November to mid-January.

As to the need for frequent watering this late in the season, I'm with Ken that you need to verify the need for water before applying. Generally, late fall rains and lower temperatures keep soils moist enough - even fast draining sandy soils - that frequent watering is no longer required. The only way you will know for sure is to check the soil at the root depth.

When does the ground typically freeze in my area would you say?

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brandon7 TN_zone7

ilovemytrees
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When does the ground typically freeze in my area would you say?

Comments (5)

brandon7 TN_zone7

ilovemytreesOriginal Author

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ilovemytrees
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