Tips for safeguarding your plants during an approaching cold snap in Central Florida

OVIEDO, Fla. – Lukas Nursery is ready to help you protect your plants against the big chill heading toward Central Florida this week.

Bri Murray holds the position of assistant sales manager at Lukas Nursery. In an interview with News 6, Murray shared valuable tips on effectively covering plants and highlighted common mistakes to avoid.

According to Murray, a prevalent mistake often seen when using frost blankets or covering plants is the misconception that only the plants need to be kept warm, neglecting the importance of insulating the trunk. She emphasized that a significant source of warmth comes from the ground itself. By encompassing both the plant and the ground, a thermal insulation effect is created within the frost blanket, aided by the heat retained from the ground.

Additionally, Murray advised people to remember to purchase pins when shopping for frost blankets. These pins play a crucial role in securing the frost blanket firmly into the ground, ensuring that heat is trapped effectively within the covering.

“You’re keeping the heat from the ground, like I mentioned before, inside the blanket, which then keeps it warm like a greenhouse,” Murray said.

Murray also says you shouldn’t use plastic tarps or trash bags to protect your plants.

“That typically holds in condensation, which holds in moisture, and again, that’ll freeze your plants,” Murray said. “So using a frost blanket is important because it does allow the plants to ventilate properly and breathe, but keeping it warm and keeping it insulated.”

To see Lukas Nursery’s hours of operation, click here.