Getting your landscape ready for the cold…

We suggest a tiered method for preparing your landscape plants for the winter. Of course most native plants will be fine, but any plants that are not as cold hardy will need layers of protection. We suggest a combination of Water, Cover, Mulch and Seaweed.

Water

Make sure that perennials, annuals, veggies, herbs, trees and shrubs are well-watered going in to a freeze.

Succulents such as Yucca, Agave, Prickly Pear ought to be as dry as possible when a freeze is predicted. If they go into a freeze wet, it’s a good idea to apply a mild organic fungicide when temperatures rise back above freezing.

Cover
Row cover is available in many pre-cut and off-the-roll sizes. This allows you to custom-fit your plant-protection needs and buy what you need without overages.
Examples of what ought to be covered with a heavy-duty row-cover: Citrus, Night-blooming Jasmine, Plumbago

Mulch

Apply a 2-4” layer of double-ground mulch. This mitigates rapid soil temperature fluctuations, and insulates roots against deep cold exposure. 

Seaweed Solution

A foliar spray of a liquified seaweed solution will boost a plant’s resilience to the cold. Drenching the roots increases the plant’s uptake of vital micronutrients, enzymes, and hormones. This can be done every two weeks for maximum efficacy.

Keep abreast of changes in weather predications

As Tropical Storm Uri taught us in 2021, weather changes can be sudden and varied, even in one day. Keeping an eye on your weather app, or checking the weather several times a day will allow you time to implement your protective measures.