Sally Scalera

Brevard County Horticulture Extension Agent
3695 Lake Drive -- Cocoa FL 32926 -- 321-633-1702

Winter freeze precautions

Dec. 13, 2008

This winter has started off cold (at least for me) and every winter there is always a chance that we could have a freeze or two. If a freeze is forecasted there are precautions that can be taken to protect tender plants. When a freeze does occur, there are things that can be done for the plants that were damaged. Since we usually get plenty of warning before a cold front hits now is the time to start planning.

Here are some suggestions of things to do before a freeze hits!

  • Decide now, before the freeze is forecasted, what plants you will protect and what covering (quilt, blanket, etc.) you will use for each plant.
  • Water the entire landscape with an inch of water a day to two before the freeze is forecasted. This includes any containerized plants that are growing outside.
  • After everything has been watered, turn off your irrigation timer!! If your sprinklers turn on and then off (either just before or during the freeze) more damage will occur then if the irrigation had never been on at all.
  • Make sure tender plants are mulched with a two to four inch layer of mulch. The only exception to our mulching rule is for citrus. Make sure that the mulch is at least six inches away from the trunk of the citrus tree.
  • Young citrus trees can be protected by quilts and blankets or placing a mound of soil around the base of the trunk (this is called banking.) Make sure that the soil is up over the graft. If the weather warms up the next day you will have to remove the mound of soil from around the trunk.
  • Spray tender plants with liquid seaweed a day or two before the freeze arrives. Spray both sides of the foliage until it drips off.
  • Move containerized plants into the garage or house. If they must stay outside, move them together and cover the entire group with blankets or quilts.
  • Cover tender plants with blankets, towels, quilts or comforters. If it is forecasted to be windy then secure the covering to the ground with rocks, bricks, etc.
  • When a hard freeze (say below 30 degrees) is forecasted, you can place a light bulb or Christmas lights underneath the cover. Just make sure that none of the bulbs come into contact with the covering.
  • If plastic tarps or sheets of plastic will be used, build a structure with wood or PVC to support the plastic up above the foliage. Secure the plastic to the ground so that the wind won’t get underneath.

Here are suggestions of things to do for damaged plants after a freeze!

  • Delay severe pruning until new growth appears in the spring. This will guard against any live wood accidentally being removed.
  • Dead, unsightly leaves may be removed as soon as they turn brown. Just pick them off.
  • Though many tropical plants may get killed down to the ground (but will re-sprout from the roots in the spring) some may be totally killed – roots and all. (If you want to replant again in the spring make sure that you do not replace it with the same type of plant in that same spot!) Some locations that will provide tender plants with some cold protection include under trees (this is not an option if the plant requires full sun), near fences or tall plants, or on the south side of the house.
  • Spray any damaged plants, with foliage present (including turf), with at least four weekly applications of a liquid seaweed solution.

This is a good list to cut out and file away since we never know until after winter is over if we will get any freezes or not! So, start making a plan now for a possible freeze this winter.