Last year the Houston Chronicle had a great article about plant survival in freezing temperatures. Since it is almost February I was thinking I was going to get away without having to post about this but it is not to be; we are looking to have several days of frigid temperatures starting today (lows in the low to mid 20's). Here in Houston we rarely have frigid temperatures and for sure not several days in a row. I love all the tropical plants that I'm able to grow in Spring and by using what they said I saved my plants last year and plan to again this year. This year I also have a winter garden going and I sure don't want to lose my lettuce.
After reading the article I realized that I've not been going at this correctly. What you want to do is mulch, water and cover. If it has not rained you need to water first which I had to do last year but this year we have had rain. Water and mulch should be enough for certain plants. Those plants would be abelia, azalea, boxwood, eleagnus, Hawthorne, holly, ligustrum, loropetalum, mahonia, nandina, roses, wax myrtle and yaupon. After an extended freeze these shrubs will probably show foliage damage without cover but should put on new leaves in the spring.
We went the extra step covering plants with fiber row covers, sheets & blankets. This will raise the temperature a few degrees depending on the cover. For even extra protection we added a layer of heavy plastic over the cloth covers and secured it with bricks and stones. The article said not to place plastic directly on the plants. (This is where I have been going astray). My plants are again double wrapped and I feel that again I will have healthy plants after the cold snap. Of course we have moved our potted plants inside.
Do not wash frost or ice off the plants the morning after the freeze. If you wash the frost off it raises the temperature too fast and can damage the plant's cell tissue. After the frigid temperatures are over assess the damage but DO NOT prune. The freeze damaged wood will protect live wood farther down the branch (should we have more frigid temperatures).
In the spring prune to green at your normal pruning time. I have always heard mid February for pruning.
I hope this is it for our frigid weather. We have lived here 14 years and I don't ever remember covering plants this late in the season. I remember a radio commentator years ago saying we have two seasons in Houston summer and January. It looks like winter is going in to February for us this year. Hopefully this will be the last time to cover the plants.
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Copyright © 2011 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Cold Facts for Plant survival in Spring-Magnolia-Tomball TX!!!*
Marchel - I am continuing to be amazed at what I am learning from posters to this "Feather Nesters" group! I had never heard about not pruning for protection against frost. But it certainly makes sense, and is an explanation for lost plants I've had over the years. I have been pruning too soon. I have yet to get a Bouganvilla to make it through winter!
Marchel, It's shocking that the recent deep freeze has gone as far south as Houston! This is great information on how to protect those plants that aren't used to such cold temperatures. Stay warm down there!
Marchel,
Great tips for climates like Texas and Florida, especially with your unusually low temps. However, in Colorado, the deciduous growth naturally adapts to the colder temps...trees die, grass is brown and no chance of planting anything for another 5 months. My parents in Florida are following many of your tips, even as I respond to your blog... g
Marchel: I never knew to water first if there has been no rain! Here in my area of California, we get temps down to the low forties and even the high thirties which can be enough to freeze some plants....I always forget because we only have a few nights like this. A philodendron that my son gave me 10 years ago froze this year but it is coming back. I had it on a pot on the patio and forgot to bring it in!
Marchel do you have any advice for what to do with plants that are buried under 4 to 5 feet of snow? :) :)
Marchel: We are all watered, wrapped and hopefully will survive the freeze over here at Canyon Lake TX. I just went out to double check and it is really icey cold out there. The wind is blowing and just goes right through you. I'll freeze tomorrow morning doing my home inspection over in Schertz.
Stay warm and hope your plants survive this Febrauary freeze.
Marchel, great advice. I will water and cover my plants tonight.
This is certainly a timely post! It is FREEZING! Supposed to be 16 in the morning, here! WHAT?!
Hi Marchel,
We are losing plants, trees and bushes to this winter too. Even though up North our landscaping is more tolerant of the cold temps, it can't really take the heavy snow and today's thick layer of ice. Everything is breaking and splitting. It will be a bonanza for landscapers this spring.
Lisa
Marchel, I do hope your plants survive and with your preparation I am sure they will. I had to laugh at #5's comment...
Marchel--I cannot use this information, but I found your post fascinating. In the fall, we cover our plants to get them through the first few frosts and extend their life and our enjoyment, but once the hard freezed get here we give up. Good luck keeping your plants alive. The pictures are so pretty!