ORLANDO, Fla. – We’re a couple days out from hunkering down during last weekend’s record-breaking cold weather and you might be thinking it’s a good time to tend to your outdoor plants.
You’d be correct, but the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is here to tell you exactly which garden chores likely need doing.
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Read on for what the UF IFAS says you should and shouldn’t do after a freeze, and keep well in mind that we may have to cover them again soon with more cold weather in the forecast.
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What to do
Beyond the fact that this is Florida, one of the reasons we were so perplexed that it managed to snow anywhere around here was due to the sheer dryness of the cold air that blasted through our area.
That kind of wind can dry out plants and soil, so it’s crucial that you at least tend to your plants’ water needs. Watering your plants after a freeze can help thaw the soil and will hydrate the roots, according to UF IFAS, which adds container plants may need extra attention.
In general, have patience. It may look like a plant is dead or dying now, but there’s no way to know for sure unless you wait for any possible new spring growth. UF IFAS also advises that plants which still look alive now may actually be damaged or dying and, similarly, time is needed to tell what is truly alive.
What not do do
Don’t engage in heavy pruning after a freeze and don’t plant seeds without cold stratifying them first, according to UF IFAS. Like we just said, there are times that we just need to wait and see. Pruning your plants too early might accidentally remove living tissue and rob the plant of its last chance to bounce back from the damage.
Also, don’t fertilize your plants right now. Chances are, the plant may be dormant and are either unable or unwilling to handle the added nutrients. For this, you’re advised to wait until warmer weather and active growth return, according to UF IFAS.
On pruning
When it does come time to prune your plants, UF IFAS suggests the following:
Scratch the bark lightly. If you see green beneath the scrape, it means that part of the plant is still alive, and if you see brown or black, then it’s dead.
Prune back only to the healthy tissue and note that you should only remove dead, brown leaves if they’re fully dry, according to UF IFAS.
On lawns
Having brown turf after a freeze is often normal dormancy, according to UF IFAS. Similarly to your plants, you should avoid fertilizing until you see a spring green-up.
More tips from UF IFAS
Look for delayed or no spring bud break, weak or uneven growth, and for branch dieback over time. According to UF IFAS, some plants take a long time to recover after severe cold, but recover they shall.
Read further from UF IFAS on cold protection for landscape plants by clicking here.