Just received this notice on my phone—
This upcoming freeze on Tuesday looks a bit different than the one we just dealt with in early February. Even though it might not hit those same record-breaking lows, the conditions around it are a lot more "challenging" for our gardens here in West Central Florida.
Here is the direct breakdown of what I'm seeing and how I'm prepping:
The Dry Cold Factor
Unlike the last wet freeze, this one is coming in with a Red Flag Warning and a Fire Weather Watch. That means the air is bone-dry. In our part of Florida, dry cold can be even more "scorching" for our plants than a wet frost. The wind is going to pull moisture right out of the leaves, which leads to heavy freeze burn.
My Advice: Water everything deeply today while it's still 75 degrees. A well-hydrated plant has a much better shot at surviving a dry freeze than a thirsty one.
Tender New Growth
Since that last cold snap, we've had some milder days, and a lot of our plants have started putting out new, light-green growth. This "new" growth is much more sensitive to 32 degrees than the older, hardened-off leaves were a few weeks ago. Even if the temperature doesn't drop as low as last time, the damage to these new stems could actually be worse.
The Prep Strategy
- Focus on the "Wake" Plants: If you see new growth or buds on your fruit trees or Florida natives, those are your priority for covering.
- Ground Heat is Key: With the Severe Weather Advisory in the mix, the transition into this cold might be rough. Pull your covers all the way to the dirt and weigh them down to trap the last bit of ground heat.
- Don't Forget the Mulch: If you have thin spots in your mulch, throw a little extra down today to protect those root systems from the wind.
We've been through this once already this month, so we know the drill—but don't let your guard down just because it isn't "historic" cold this time. The dryness is the real enemy here.
Stay safe and keep those plants covered!
Your weather garden lady 🫠
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