Coastal Florida has always had, at least since recorded history began, intense weather systems with the potential to inflict damage. Usually, these weather events are tropical in nature and occur during Atlantic Hurricane Season.
There were several direct hits over a recent thirteen-month period, with Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and Helene causing substantial damage between August 2023 and September 2024.
The freeze with frost on December 1, 2024 may herald even more destructive potential for home landscapes.
Perennials and annual plants along with trees, turf and tropical foliage are susceptible to damage or possibly death. Even with the horticultural wreckage becoming more evident each day, there are some actions which can help the ornament plants and turf recover.
While it might be the first inclination to begin pruning the dead or damaged foliage, do not do it. Despite the poor appearance of the withered leaves, they still have value as insulation against the next freeze.
Hydrangeas in the region have been defoliated by the freeze and frost on December 1, 2024. While it may be tempting to cut them back to the ground, there is still life in many of the branches. Pruning should wait until spring.
It is early December now so Jack Frost will have many more opportunities to attack. In recent years freezes and frost have occurred as late as April in panhandle Florida.
In the spring, evaluate woody ornamentals for damage by scraping the bark at the far end of the branches with a fingernail. If the plant tissue is dead, continue with the test until green is encountered on the stem.
Prune the dead wood and remove from the area. Also, if herbaceous plants have fallen prey to the cold, remove them as damp material may be an ideal site for fungal growth.
The use of fertilizer on plants, turf and trees now may cause problems at the next cold snap of early 2025. Ample nutrients and a few days of warm weather will encourage sprouting and tender growth.
The following freeze will damage the plants even more, making them susceptible to fungal diseases and other potentially fatal problems. As tempting as it may be, wait until spring when the threat of frost or freeze is past.
Monitor the soil moisture around freeze-damaged plants. Sporadic and irregular rain may leave the soil without the necessary water to encourage recovery from excess cold.
While plants may look inactive, there is growth and unseen effort during the winter months. Regular infusions of water are necessary for success, and damaged foliage plants need the liquid resources even more.
Mulching now will help ornamental plants and trees survive the cold extremes. The leaf and pine straw detritus will help regulate water content and insulate the root system.
Lastly, it might seem an odd time to pull dead warm season annual weeds but there is a good reason. Carefully removing those which still have seeds attached may help limit the problem plant infestation next spring.
Clipping or gently pulling and then placing the plant with the seeds still attached in a plastic bag will eliminate at least those seeds from germinating in the home landscape in a few months.
Take the few balmy days of winter to prepare for a productive spring growing season. Be assured, more cold temperatures will get here soon, but spring is only a few months away.
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