Introduction

Fall and winter weather events, such as frosts, freezes, and ice storms can create challenges for farm operations. Agricultural producers can prepare themselves and their farms for extreme fall and winter weather by taking actions to minimize losses.

This fact sheet is part of a series of fact sheets and checklists for agricultural producers, to inform short-term, immediate responses for farm operations, in preparation for impending extreme weather events. This fact sheet focuses on preparation strategies for the fall and winter seasons.

Beginning Fall and Winter Seasons

• Review the UConn Extension General Strategies checklist. Review all written emergency and communication plans with family and farm personnel, including a plan for evacuating and shelter in place for staff and livestock;
• Inventory equipment with photos that can be used to support damage claims. Ensure that generators and chainsaws are operable in case you lose power, or need to clean up fallen trees or limbs. Enable emergency alerts on your smartphone; NOAA and the National Weather Service send automatic alerts for impending weather events, including flood warnings and tornadoes;
• You can also sign up for emergency alerts at ct.gov/ctalert;
• If you keep livestock, review and update records for all animals on the property, ensuring that animals have at least one form of permanent identification, such as RFID tags. Have your veterinarian’s number written down, as well as stored in your phone contacts;
• Make a plan for keeping extra feed on hand in case you are unable to reach your hay supplier or the feed store for a few days. Check and inflate trailer tires in case you need to transport animals.

Before Any Possible High-impact Weather Events

• Visit Southern Connecticut Weather for comprehensive forecasting for the entire state.
• Photo-document standing crops in case of losses.
• Review response plans with family/staff.

First Frost

• Be mindful that frost damage can occur any time forecasted overnight temperatures are below 40°;
• Use this handy farmer-developed guide to help you understand the cold sensitivity of different crops. Note that the listed temperatures are when plant death occur, not just damage. Plant damage can occur at temperatures up to 10° warmer than plant death;
• Cover sensitive crops with frost blankets, row cover, or mulch as feasible. Leaves and other plant parts that are touching the cover may be damaged. Support frost blankets as needed;
• Close high tunnel structures;
• Harvest frost sensitive crops as necessary;
• Consider mapping the frost pockets on your farm and note temperatures at which different crops first show cold damage;
• Drain irrigation lines and other water-holding infrastructure/equipment that might freeze;
• Ensure proper antifreeze ratios in equipment;
• Bring vulnerable potted plants or container-grown perennials indoors or into protected areas;
• Check fuel supply for heating high tunnels/greenhouses;
• Move pesticides, veterinary medicines, and other temperature sensitive materials to appropriate temperature stable environments;
• Remember you may need to repeat some of these steps throughout the fall, when nighttime temperatures hover near freezing.

Hard Frost

• A hard frost, or killing frost, will occur when forecasted temperatures are for 32° or lower;
• Harvest or protect remaining cold-hardy crops as needed. If overwintering greens or roots in the field, install hoops for low tunnels and cover beds;
• Mulch overwintering crops such as garlic or strawberries;
• Be mindful of temperatures inside cold storage units. Use heaters as necessary to maintain appropriate temperatures. Use these charts as a guide for fruit and vegetable storage conditions.;
• Drain irrigation lines, hoses, pumps, sprayers, roller crimpers, and other equipment or infrastructure containing water, or move to a heated area;
• Insulate exposed pipes and protect other systems that must continue to contain water.

Deep Freezes and Freezing Ground

• Finish winterizing water systems and other equipment or infrastructure containing liquids that will freeze;
• Before the ground freezes for the winter, drive posts for snow fencing to protect greenhouses, high tunnels, and similar structures from the buildup of wind-driven snow as needed;
• Plan ahead for frost heaving; dig out several inches in front of swinging doors so doors can clear the ground;
• Stockpile bedding and feed in accessible locations;
• Check and maintain backup heating systems for greenhouses and livestock.

Fluctuating Winter Temperatures

• Warm periods during the winter can partially thaw frozen ground and lead to challenges with mud and frost heaving;
• Mulch garlic, strawberries, and newly planted flower bulbs before the ground freezes for the winter to help ensure fluctuating temperatures do not heave plant material out of the ground;

Managing livestock with slick mud on top of frozen ground can be challenging.

• Lay wood chips, rocks, or other material in high traffic areas before the ground partially thaws if possible;
• Contain animals as needed to prevent excessive mud fouling;
• If animals will be fed outside, consider using feeders that are up off the ground, reducing the chance of contamination by animal waste.

Ice Storms

• Trim overhanging branches near structures or fences;
• Prune susceptible fruit trees as feasible;
• Check high tunnels and greenhouses for ability to handle ice load. Tighten loose nuts on trusses and cross members. Greenhouses can be heated to shed ice. Learn more about protecting high tunnels and greenhouses.;
• Keep grit/sand or non-toxic ice melt on hand for walkways and work areas.

Snowstorms

For wet/heavy snow:

• Ensure shovels and roof rakes are accessible;
• Heavy snow can cause high tunnels and greenhouses to collapse. Remove buildup in a timely manner from roofs and sidewalls as needed to prevent collapse. Be aware that snow may build up quickly between high tunnels that are close together. Learn more about managing high tunnels in snow. ;
• Low tunnels framed with wire or PVC may collapse. Plan accordingly.

For wind-driven snow:

• Check barn and shed siding for gaps where snow could drift in;
• Create windbreaks (temporary fencing, hay bales) for livestock areas if possible;
• Install snow fencing on the windward side of vulnerable high tunnels and greenhouses to prevent wind-driven snow from building up on one side of the structure. Uneven snow loads can collapse structures.

Special fall and winter considerations for extreme rain, wind, drought, and fire risk.

Find further recommendations in the Summer and General Strategies Checklists.

Heavy Rain on Frozen Ground

• Water will pool and possibly freeze in low-lying areas. Move equipment off fields that may flood and freeze;
• Be aware that shallow wells may be more prone to contamination by runoff when the ground is frozen. Find a list of water testing labs at: ct.gov/dph/environmental-health/environmental-laboratory-certification/environmental-laboratory-certification?language=en_US;
• Store manure and compost piles under cover (roofs or tarps) to prevent nutrient leaching and runoff. Consider surrounding piles with straw bales to contain

Extreme Wind

• Collect and secure outbuildings and objects that could become airborne. Close all doors, windows, ventilation boards, or other openings in farm buildings. Seal up greenhouses and high tunnels as temperatures allow and add additional sandbags for row cover as needed. Also consider removing row covers;
• Drive additional posts for trellised crops, like tomatoes or peas, to prevent blow-down; keep in mind that posts are more likely to fail during high winds when the soil is saturated;
• Extreme winds can also dislodge forage and grains; harvest before high winds if possible. Fill all water tanks with clean water for crops, animals, and people in case power outages create challenges with water sources reliant on electricity. Ensure that all animals, equipment, and supplies are moved away from trees, including hazardous chemicals, which should be securely stored;
• Trim hanging branches and remove dead and diseased trees from the property regularly. Unplug extension cords and other electrical equipment, when possible, to mitigate fire risk;
• After an extreme weather event, confirm that no trees, branches, or leaves that may be toxic to livestock have fallen in paddocks/pens;
• Walk fence lines and inspect buildings to ensure that no damage has occurred.

Elevated Fire Risk

• Be mindful that wildfires can happen even at cold temperatures. Low humidity and high winds elevate fire risk regardless of temperature, and when there is no snow cover, dried grasses, brush piles, and leaf piles are excellent tinder;
• Avoid burning during dry, windy days;
• Consider composting rather than burning leaf piles;
• Monitor at ct.gov/deep/forestry/forest-fire/forest-fire-danger-report and get alerts through portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Forest-Fire/Forest-Fire-Weather-Information-and-Danger-Explanations.

Find action plans for Wildfire Smoke, Hurricanes, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Hail in the Summer Checklist.

Conclusion

Taking a proactive approach to fall and winter weather can help you navigate seasonal events that have the potential to cause damage to property, crops, and animals.

Review seasonal checklists, communication plans, and stay up to date on weather forecasts to inform action. As extreme weather events become more common, staying organized and responsive is critical to protecting agricultural priorities.

Download the fall and winter checklist to use on your farm.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express appreciation to members of the UConn Extension Agriculture Team for their assistance in conceptualizing this project. Members include Cristina Connolly, Tessa Getchis, Shuresh Ghimire, Michael Gilman, Nick Goltz, Mayra Rodríguez González, Srikanth Kodati, Jacqueline Kowalski, Charles Krasnow, Ana Legrand, Evan Lentz, Amelia Magistrali, Jiff Martin, Rich Meinert, Haiying Tao, Indu Upadhyaya, and Vickie Wallace. The authors would also like to recognize Nicole Davidow for her support of this project.

Resources

Bartock, J. W. (2023, September). Prepare Your Greenhouses for Weather Events. UConn Extension Publication EXT038. https://doi.org/10.61899/ucext.v1.038.2024

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. (n.d.). Forest fire weather information and danger explanations. https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Forest-Fire/Forest-Fire-Weather-Information-and-Danger-Explanations

Gast, K. L. B. (2001). Storage conditions: Fruits and vegetables. University of Maine Cooperative Extension Bulletin #4135. https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/4135e/#:~:text=Fresh%20fruits%20and%20vegetables%20need,and%20energy%20reserves%20are%20maintained

Krekelberg, E. (2025). Reducing fire risk on the farm. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/farm-safety/reducing-fire-risk-farm