Can you break ground if that ground is frozen?
shelly_k
14 years ago
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Comments (13)
brickeyee
14 years agojasonmi7
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Planting Trees and Bulbs in Frozen Ground
Comments (1)As for the bulbs, I've planted them in nearly frozen ground and they've been just fine come spring. I feel they'll fare better out there than inside. As for plants in containers, if too late to plant, you can safely overwinter in their containers if protected from repeated freezing and thawing. I usually sink the pots into the soft earth of my winter-vacant vegetable garden, or bunch them together and cover with a generous layer of leaves - shredded or not. That being said, last winter we had so much to do after Sandy ripped through, that we didn't get a variety of small trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials into the ground or mulched and, to my surprise and delight, not a single plant perished. However, I don't recommend that practice....See MoreHelp!!! Ground is Frozen!!! Let's try this again.
Comments (17)Let me add my voice to those who have successfully grown containerized bulbs through winter without problems. If the bulbs have been planted early enough to develop a root system, freezing weather/soil is not going to be a concern. They withstand cold temperatures more severe than that in the ground in many areas and containerized bulbs are pretty popular in areas that experience much colder winter temps than we do here in the PNW. If rotting occurs it is far more likely that saturated container soil or improper drainage was the culprit rather than the cold. For that reason, I have always stored my containerized bulbs out of the weather, either on a covered porch or in my carport. No cold protection or mulch.....just out of the rain. They've always been fine, even through last season's extended deep freeze. However, planting in a container now does pose some concerns. Until planted, the bulbs don't develop roots and I'd be cautious about exposing freshly planted bulbs (rootless) to the type of cold weather we are experiencing now. OTOH, it won't hurt to just hold the bulbs in a cool dark area until the soil thaws sufficiently to plant, in the next few days. Once they are safely tucked into the ground, they'll be fine....See MoreIs the Ground Frozen
Comments (3)I'm not sure where you are but I think I remember you're in Massachusetts. The latest UMass Extension Landscape Message is due this Friday, December 6, and it will give information on whether soils are frozen in the different regions of MA. It's not frozen here in southeastern MA - I'd say plant your trees or bulbs now if you can dig a hole. If you haven't gotten them yet and you can still dig a hole - dig the holes now and keep the excavated soil in a warmer place (garage? shed?), and backfill when you get the plants. This is the procedure they recommend for living Christmas trees that you put out after the holidays - get the hole ready in advance. Be sure to stake the trees to keep them upright when the winter winds hit. Claire...See MoreBreaking ground in winter: pros/cons?
Comments (11)Cold weather concrete work is not as difficult as you might first think because only the air temperature would be below freezing and the earth as well as hydrating cement produce heat so by heating the materials used in the mix, adding an accelerator, and covering the forms with insulating blankets, it is usually possible to avoid the high cost of tenting and heating. The most important issue is to not let the bottom of the excavation freeze and that is often a matter of timing. If the setting of forms is delayed the surface can be temporarily covered with straw bales or back filled. Any cold weather concrete construction specification would be based on ACI 306R-10 "Guide to Cold Weather Concreting" which costs about $60 in hardcopy or PDF download. I would hope your contractor has a copy but I suggest you not ask. You could just stipulate in the contract that the concrete work will conform to ACI 306R-10 but you can get the basics of the its recommendations by googling "Grace TB 0106". This is good stuff but there is no substitute for an experienced contractor....See Moreshelly_k
14 years agomanhattan42
14 years agocreek_side
14 years agobrickeyee
14 years agoshelly_k
14 years ago
Heather Jennings
14 years agomacv
14 years agodreamywhite
14 years agomacv
14 years ago
worthy
14 years ago
Winter construction is the rule, not the exception, in Toronto.Hay is for horses! Use straw. Better yet, thermal blankets are for construction. And loads of propane!
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