Before the Freeze:

Record cold temperatures are heading to Central Florida and your plants are at risk for damage and possibly death, but you can help them battle the freeze. Cover your plants with fabric like material and by doing it properly you can help them to survive.

For example, the proper way to cover a Robellini palm is to pony tail the fronds and to tie them in the middle with twine. It is important with palms that if you cannot cover the whole plant, make sure you at least cover the center area where the new growth comes from.

At this stage, you can now wrap them with your fabric material. The thicker you can make it, the better provided that it is not so thick that it breaks the fronds. Small plants can be covered with cardboard boxes with a brick or weight placed on top of the box so the wind doesn't blow it into the neighbor's yard.

Most vegetables should be covered. ALL TROPICAL plants must be covered in this freeze or they may be in danger of dying. Tropical plants in pots that are around the pool patio area should be brought into the house.

I consider this freeze to be so cold that I recommend you don't put them in the garage because it will be cold in there as well. Bring them into the house with the heat.

All tropical fruit trees should be covered and citruses under than 6 feet in height should be covered as well.

Also, if you have a favorite plant, a trashcan act as a temporary green house, just make sure it is secure with the ground to take advantage of ground heat. Do not leave the can on the plant during the day because that trashcan can become an oven and will fry your plant.

After the Freeze:

After the freeze when it warms up to the 60's you can remove the blankets, fold them neatly and place them in card board boxes so that they are ready for the next freeze.

Now as you survey the damage, you may see some brown from the freeze, but even if they are brown, do not cut them back. This brown layer of leaves can actually protect the stems in future freezes. It is okay to leave the injured growth on until we clear the cold season.

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