Protecting North Texas Landscapes FROM FROSTS AND FREEZES Steven Milks, Account Manager - BrightView Landscape Services
With cold season fast approaching, it is a good idea to start thinking about how to protect your landscape over the winter season and ensure its success for next spring. STEVEN’S TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
Know Your Plants • • •
Basic knowledge (variety, age, location in the landscape) will help guide your actions Consult with your local nursery professional with questions Several free apps are available which work with the camera on your phone. Snap a pic of the plant in question and the app will provide a lot of valuable information
Covering Your Plants • • • • • • •
Certain evergreen varieties including hawthorn, holly and boxwood are vulnerable to freezing temperatures and frost Knowing the variety and age of the plant will help you know if they need to be covered Older, established plants will typically handle a freeze better than newly planted material Frost cloth can be purchased at your local nursery or you can use an old sheet or blanket Cover the plant completely, all the way to the ground Stake or tie down the cover to avoid it blowing away Remove the coverings as soon as temps rise above freezing. Remember your plants still need sun to maintain health
The Benefits of Mulch • • • •
Mulch isn’t just for aesthetics; it protects your plant material Mulch protects against frost on the root system and retains moisture Moist soil stays warmer than soil that dries out. You won’t be running your irrigation in freezing temperatures, so the mulch will help retain the moisture in the soil Remove old mulch every several seasons, and re-mulch with a high-quality hardwood blend
Potted Plant Care • • • •
Cover the entire plant and the container The roots of containerized plants are especially vulnerable Keep the soil moist and water as the soil dries out Purchase a soil probe at your garden center so that you can check the moisture level at the roots and not just the topsoil
Tropical Plant Considerations • • •
Tropicals including Rubber Trees, Bird of Paradise and Hibiscus are especially sensitive Covering plants may not be sufficient; brining them in the house or garage may be necessary If bringing inside is not an option, cover the plant and pot and move them close the house for extra protection from the wind
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/ • AgriLife article concerning freeze protection: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/landscaping/protecting-landscapes-and-horticultural-crops-from-frosts-and-feezes/
10 • CONTACT | FALL 2021
