Houston has already experienced freezing temperatures. As the winter season continues, don’t forget Prewett, Read & Associates’ recommendations when temperatures dip below 32 degrees. If temperatures get that low, our team suggests taking precautions to protect your plants.
- As long as you cover your plants before the temperature drops — even 15 minutes in advance — your plants will be protected
- Wind chill isn’t relative to plants, so don’t factor it in when deciding to protect your plants
- Plants in more populated, crowded areas are less prone to freeze damage than ones in more open, spacious areas
However, before the covering chaos takes place, Prewett, Read & Associates advises you to assess a few factors that can determine when to – or not to – cover your plants.
- Cloud cover helps retain heat and protect plants. Throughout the day, the sun’s rays heat up the earth, and at night, once the sun has set, that heat moves upward, lowering the temperature near the ground. If there is sufficient cloud coverage, the heat becomes trapped, keeping warmer temperatures near the ground and warding of frost.
- Your location can influence when and how to protect plants. There is usually a 4- to 5-degree difference in temperature inside the city and in outlying suburbs – typically warmer in the city limits.
- External factors like trees, concrete and buildings can also contribute to the likelihood of freeze damage. In more concentrated areas, plants are able to retain more heat since the warmth is held by buildings or objects in their surroundings.