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Protecting plants when a freeze is imminent
A cold front has moved through Florida, and winds will begin to increase from the north and usher in freezing temperatures over parts of North Florida. A Hard Freeze Watch has been issued for Saturday night with temperatures in the upper 20s over North Florida, so remember the "Four Ps," which are pipes, pools, pets, and plants.
As Central Florida prepares for at or below-freezing temperatures, we’re getting tips on how to protect your home and plants.
Palmer’s Garden, a nursery in Orlando says for areas like Ocala, and Clermont that are expecting freezing temperatures, it’s a good idea to cover your plants. If you don’t have a plant cover, you can use a bed sheet.
They say it’s important to cover it completely but not too tight. Palmer’s also suggests watering your plants.
"With a potted tree or plant, if it’s dry it will freeze faster. So if you have a potted plant that you don’t want to bring inside, or is too big to bring inside, soak it and that way wet roots will a lot take longer to freeze – because it doesn’t stay that cold for too long. In Ocala, if it sits in the 30s for a number of hours, then you have a bigger risk and things will burn and the roots may die," said Andrew Commins, the Garden Center Manager.
OUC also gave us some tips on how to preserve energy during this Florida freeze.
Safety Tips:
- Don’t ever use a generator inside
- Keep space heaters on a level, flat surface and away from any bedding or drapes that could burn
- Always unplug your space heater or electric blanket before you go to sleep
Saving Money:
- Use a space heater, blankets, or extra layers to stay warm.
- Use a towel or blanket to fill any gaps in your home by the front door.
- Keep your thermostat set to 68 or lower to save energy