Protect your plants, plumbing from plunging temperatures

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Temperatures are dropping, which means it's time to take care of plants and pipes.

Adam O'Mary, landscape division manager at Lawn Ranger Company, offers these five hot tips for cold weather.

1. Potted plants: If it's in a pot, bring it indoors.
2. Mulch: Adding more mulch to outdoor plants and trees helps protect roots.
3. Watering: Hydrate flower beds before a freeze, because water and soil combined equals extra insulation. We've had plenty of rain lately, so this might not be necessary.
4. Covers: Tropical plants should be covered with lightweight blankets or towels. If rain or sleet is in the forecast, add a plastic sheet and anchor it down with bricks or stone.
5. Irrigation: Sprinkler systems are equipped with devices to prevent backflow. They're made of plastic and don't much appreciate hard freezes. Wrap them with house insulation and duct tape, and throw a plastic bag on top for extra protection. Drain any backflow before wrapping.

Roger Goertz, owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing in Montgomery County, offers these four tips for plumbing protection.

1. Outdoor garden hoses: Drain, unhook and store in the garage or shed.
2. Exterior walls: If your laundry room or kitchen sink faces an exterior wall, the water lines may swell, crack, burst or freeze. Simply open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate, and turn the faucet on to a slow, cold drip to alleviate pressure. You can always collect those drippings to use later in your garden! This also applies to outdoor kitchens.
3. Swimming pools: Call your pool company to ask about protection. Most water lines feeding the pool have built-in protection from freezing weather, but it can't hurt to call and ask.
4. Pay attention to the weather: The thermometer is one thing; the wind chill is another. Factor in the wind chill, especially on north-facing exterior walls.