Ready for the hard freeze: three November jobs for Treasure Valley yards

November is when Treasure Valley cold turns serious. At the National Weather Service’s Boise station, the median date of the first hard freeze (28°F or colder) is November 7; at Nampa it is November 1, based on 1991–2020 normals.^[1] A median means about half of years get there sooner, so treat early November as the time to finish freeze protection, not start it.

1. Close up outdoor faucets and hoses

Veolia Water Idaho, a Boise-area drinking-water utility, tells customers to disconnect and drain garden hoses and connections, close any hose-bib shutoff valves, and consider covering hose bibs. It also says to winterize (blow out) sprinkler systems, keep the garage door closed, close crawl-space vents, and wrap pipes that are exposed to cold in insulation.^[2]

Veolia notes that homeowners are responsible for the service line from the meter box into the house. If a pipe freezes, it says to shut off water at the main valve, open a nearby faucet so the pipe can drain as it thaws, and thaw it with a hair dryer, electric heater or heating pad, never hot water or a blowtorch. If you think the meter itself is frozen, call Veolia at 208-362-7304 and don’t try to thaw it yourself.^[2] If your water comes from a different utility, follow that utility’s instructions. Sprinkler system still full of water? Our winterization checklist covers blowouts and backflow preventers.

2. Protect young tree trunks from winter sunscald

University of Idaho Extension explains that sunscald, also called “southwest injury,” shows up most often on the southwest side of thin-barked trunks: winter sun warms the bark on clear days, then the trunk cools fast when the sun drops behind clouds, buildings or the horizon, and ice forms in the bark.^[3] Extension advises protecting susceptible ornamental trees until at least two years after they’re planted in a landscape, and longer for trees next to large paved areas.^[3]

Two options from that guide: wrap the trunk with paper or burlap tree wrap (not fastened tightly, and taken off after a year to check for insects), or paint the trunk with interior white latex paint, never enamel or exterior paint.^[3] If the season has been unusually dry, Extension also suggests one more deep watering for trees and shrubs in late fall: run a hose slowly at the base or drip line for at least four hours so water soaks at least 12 inches deep.^[4] For more on young trees, see our fall planting guide.

3. Get leaves to the right place (dates checked Nov. 4, 2026)

• Meridian: Curbside leaf collection runs Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Dec. 4, on your regular trash day. Use paper leaf bags (not taped or stapled) or your yard-debris cart, limit 10 bags a week, out by 6 a.m. Drop sites at city parks are open through Thursday, Dec. 10.^[5]
• Eagle: Curbside pickup runs Nov. 2 through Nov. 27 on your regular trash day, paper bags only. Leaf dumpsters at the West Eagle Park & Ride (1890 W. State St.) and the Eagle Sports Complex (3151 E. Greenbrook St.) are open through Dec. 13.^[6]
• Nampa: Drop off loose leaves (no bags) at Kohlerlawn Cemetery, 76 6th St. N., weekdays 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. through Dec. 11, and Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m. starting Nov. 7.^[7]
• Boise, Kuna, Star and Caldwell: See the leaf table in our winterization checklist for each city’s official page.

This week’s short list

1. Disconnect hoses, close the inside shutoff for each outdoor faucet, and drain it.^[2]
2. Wrap or paint the trunks of trees planted in the last two years.^[3]
3. Bag or haul leaves on your city’s schedule.^[5][6][7]

Landscaping the Treasure Valley is an independent homeowner’s field guide, not a landscaping contractor. Freeze dates are long-term medians, not forecasts; check the National Weather Service Boise forecast for your week.

Sources

1. National Weather Service Boise, freeze probability data (1991–2020 normals). Hard freeze is 28°F or colder; medians Boise Nov. 7, Nampa Nov. 1.
2. Veolia Water Idaho, “Seasonal Maintenance”. Checked November 4, 2026.
3. University of Idaho Extension, “Controlling Sunscald on Trees and Vines” (CIS 869). Checked November 4, 2026.
4. University of Idaho Extension, “Caring for Your Trees” (Tree Planting and Care No. 20). Checked November 4, 2026.
5. City of Meridian, “Recycle the Fall”. Checked November 4, 2026.
6. City of Eagle, “Recycling & Trash Services”. Checked November 4, 2026.
7. City of Nampa, “Nampa Parks & Recreation Encourages Citizens to Recycle Leaves”. Posted Sept. 22, 2026; checked November 4, 2026.