1. Water.
Make sure all plants are watered thoroughly before a cold front blows in, especially a dry cold front. You will also have to water after the cold front, since plants dry out quickly in a cold dry wind.
2. Cover Your Tropicals.
Plants may need to be covered when the temperatures drop into the mid to low 30’s. Create a teepee over the plants when covering and not the lollipop look. The key is to capture the ground warmth. Using sheets or other light weight material on the plants and then plastic on the outer layer will add the extra protection against the wind and cold. If plastic is placed directly on the leaves of plants it will burn the foliage, so always put a protective layer between if possible.
We carry N-Sulate Frost Blankets. They measure 12’x10′, $16.99 each. You can use anchor pins, bricks, lumber, clay pots etc… to weigh down around the bottom. We also carry Frost Blanket by the foot. It is 12′ wide and costs $1.69 a running foot. Make sure to uncover during the day when the temperatures warm up, so your plants don’t bake from too much heat build-up. Then re-cover before the temperatures drop again.
Wanda Sorrell says
What about potted Madagascar palms?
Many thanks,,
Wanda
james says
Madagascar palm will survive to probably around 30 degrees, but it will drop leaves and pout at mid thirties. If not too large, you might want to bring it in for the cold event. If too large to move, you might throw a cover over it, draping to the ground.
Janis Haas says
Potted 16 year old lemon tree?
james says
Janis, your lemon tree should be fine if temps go no lower than 35. If you are concerned, water it, tip it over sideways on the ground, and cover. Ground heat will be trapped around the roots, stems, and leaves and should protect it even down to 28.