Lawn and Garden Care: Cold Protection and Chilling Damage

Sydney Park-Brown andThomas H. Yeager
Other Contacts: Tom Wichman, Claire Lewis, Wendy Wilber, andKeighly Graves

This document discusses the impact of cold temperatures on landscape plants in Florida, highlighting the differences between radiational and advective freezes. It explains how tropical, subtropical, and temperate plants respond to cold, and provides strategies for protecting plants before, during, and after a freeze. Key methods include utilizing microclimates, proper plant nutrition, watering, pruning, and using covers. The document also emphasizes the importance of acclimating plants and offers practical tips for homeowners to minimize cold injury and ensure plant recovery. Original publication date June 1990.

Timothy K. Broschat

ENH-92 describes how cold temperatures affect palms and how to treat them following a cold weather event.