Protecting Plants During Winter Freezes

While Alabama enjoys relatively mild winters, freezing temperatures can still arrive with little warning. A sudden cold snap has the potential to damage flowers, tender shrubs, young trees, and even container plants if they aren't properly protected.

The good news is that with a little preparation, you can help your landscape weather the cold and bounce back beautifully when warmer temperatures return.

Which Plants Need Protection?

Not every plant needs to be covered during a freeze. Many trees, shrubs, and hardy perennials are well adapted to Alabama winters.

The plants most likely to benefit from protection include:

• Newly planted trees and shrubs
• Tender tropical plants
• Citrus trees
• Annual flowers
• Container gardens
• Young vegetable plants
• Cold-sensitive perennials

If you're unsure whether a plant needs protection, our team is always happy to help.

Know the Difference Between Frost and a Hard Freeze

Not all cold weather is the same.

Frost

A frost forms when temperatures near the ground drop to around freezing. Tender plants may experience minor damage, especially on leaves and flowers.

Hard Freeze

A hard freeze occurs when temperatures remain at or below 28°F for several hours. These colder temperatures can damage stems, roots, buds, and even kill sensitive plants.

Knowing what type of weather is expected helps you decide what level of protection your plants need.

Water Before the Freeze

It may seem surprising, but watering your landscape before a freeze can actually help protect plants.

Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil and releases that heat slowly overnight.

Water the soil—not the leaves—the day before freezing temperatures are expected.

Avoid watering if the ground is already saturated.

Cover Plants the Right Way

One of the simplest ways to protect tender plants is by covering them before temperatures drop.

Good cover materials include:

• Frost cloth
• Old bed sheets
• Lightweight blankets
• Burlap

These materials trap heat rising from the soil while still allowing some airflow.

Whenever possible:

• Cover plants before sunset.
• Extend the cover all the way to the ground to trap warmth.
• Secure the edges so wind doesn't lift the cover.

What NOT to Use

Plastic should never rest directly on plant leaves.

When plastic touches foliage during freezing temperatures, it can transfer the cold directly to the plant and increase damage.

If you use plastic, support it with stakes or hoops so it stays above the foliage, and remove it as soon as temperatures warm the next morning.

Don't Forget Container Plants

Plants growing in containers are much more vulnerable than those planted in the ground because their roots have less insulation.

If possible:

• Move containers into a garage, shed, or covered porch.
• Group pots together to help them retain warmth.
• Wrap large containers with burlap or blankets if they can't be moved.

Remember that containers dry out faster during winter, so continue checking soil moisture even when plants are dormant.

Mulch Is Natural Insulation

A fresh layer of mulch provides extra protection for plant roots during winter.

Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around trees, shrubs, and perennials to help:

• Insulate roots
• Reduce temperature fluctuations
• Retain moisture
• Protect newly planted landscapes

Keep mulch a few inches away from trunks and stems to prevent moisture buildup and disease.

Wait Before Pruning Freeze Damage

After a freeze, damaged leaves may look unsightly, but resist the urge to prune immediately.

Those damaged leaves often provide insulation for healthy tissue beneath them.

Wait until spring, when new growth begins, before removing winter damage. At that point, you'll be able to see exactly which branches are healthy and which need to be trimmed.

Watch the Weather

Winter forecasts can change quickly in Alabama.

Keeping an eye on upcoming temperatures gives you time to:

• Water if needed.
• Gather plant covers.
• Move containers.
• Protect sensitive plants before the cold arrives.

A little preparation goes a long way.

Don't Panic After a Freeze

It's normal for plants to look wilted or discolored after a cold night.

Many cold-hardy plants recover surprisingly well once temperatures warm.

Give your plants a few days before deciding they've been permanently damaged. In many cases, what looks serious today is simply temporary cold stress.

Visit Andy's Creekside Nursery

Winter weather doesn't have to mean losing your favorite plants.

At Andy's Creekside Nursery, we're here to help you protect your landscape through every season. Whether you need frost cloth, mulch, winter-hardy plants, or expert advice before the next cold snap, our knowledgeable team is always happy to help.

Stop by this winter and let us help you keep your landscape healthy, protected, and ready for spring.