Finally we are getting real winter weather this year - at least for a few days. Here are a few tips to protect your plants.

Cover up any potted plants such as Hibiscus with freeze cloth, blankets or sheets. Never use plastic as this will burn the foliage. In most cases, this will work for temperatures that only dip into the 28-32 degree range for a couple of hours.

Many perennials such as Mexican Heather and Lantana can withstand some freezing temperatures into the mid-twenties without being killed. They will suffer freeze damage however that can simply be cut back and the plant will flush back out in the Spring better than ever. It is best, however, to wait until about mid February to cut them back because we can have 80 degree days in December/January right after a hard freeze that will cause new tender growth that will only freeze again.

Winter annuals such as Pansies will be fine. They may melt to the ground, but most will pop back up after it warms up. Spring and Summer annuals will not come back from a freeze, so just let them go and plan on replacing them later.

Normally when we get a winter freeze, there is already plenty of moisture in the ground, but if you know a hard freeze is coming and we haven't had any rain in a while, water your plants good. Plants will always take a freeze better when their roots have adequate moisture. Plants planted in the ground also will be hardier than their counterparts sitting exposed in pots.


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