What to do in your garden after a freeze
Image via Unsplash
Our first freeze came early in Houston this year, which is good; it means no more waiting to see what happens. Many of your plants are likely kind of sad-looking. Maybe a little dry and brown; maybe mushy and gooey. We’re going to talk about what to do (and not do) after a freeze.
Uncover
First, if you covered any plants, you’ll want to get the covers off them as soon as possible. The temps are warming a little this week and we don’t want our plants to suffocate. If you got a Fall garden from us, we planted many varieties that love cold weather and likely survived like a champ! So, get those covers off and let them get some sun!
Water + Fertilize
Once the covers are off, give everyone a good watering and fertilize with Microlife Ocean Harvest. Plants are still growing right now and a little fertilizer will give them a nice nutrient boost after the harsh freeze.
To cut or not to cut…
Ok, here’s where we all get a little excited. The only things we’re cutting back right now are any plants that got mushy, like Elephant ears or other tropicals. We clean these up because if we leave the gooey stuff on the ground, that could invite mold and fungus growth which is not good for your plants. Otherwise, if your salvias or shrimp plant are looking dry and brown, leave them as they are, here’s why:
If you cut them now and we get another freeze, the cold air will filter down into the new growth and kill it, which may kill your whole plant. It’s like exposing an open wound to the elements. The dead, brown plant matter at the top of the plant will protect the lower stems and roots.
Trust me, I know it’s hard to stop yourself from going out there and cutting everything to the ground. But in a month, you’ll thank yourself that you didn’t do it.
Replace plants
In your raised bed gardens, it’s not too late to re-plant lettuces, chard, radishes, broccoli, and other greens. They’ll last until the highs get into the 80s.
If you’d rather wait until March so you can plant your spring veggies, now is a great time to gather some cold-hardy annual flowers like pansies, petunias, alyssum (which smells SO good!), and dianthus to put in those bare spots. These flowers can survive very cold temps and will get your garden through the rest of winter, especially if you don’t feel like covering again.
Late sneaky freeze
For the last few years, we’ve had a sneaky late winter freeze the last week of February. So, stick with your cold-hardy plants for now and remember not to cut anything back until the first week of March (however, do keep an eye on the weather report, because you never what’s coming).
Happy Gardening, friends!
-Lindsey