HOUSTON – Winter weather in Houston is no joke, and if this week’s sub-freezing temps have wreaked havoc on your greenery, you can still prepare now to help avoid damage from the next freeze.
Gardening expert Carol Burton with Urban Harvest stopped by Houston Life to offer advice for protecting your plants against winter’s wrath and to remind us that freeze damage is still possible more than two months from now.
“March 15th is the last frost date,” said Burton.
Leading up to a freeze, it’s important that your plants and trees are well-watered. It may seem counterintuitive, but plants in dry soil are actually more vulnerable during a hard freeze -- and plants in containers typically dry out more quickly than plants in the ground, especially after windy conditions.
Frost cloth (never plastic!) can be used to protect trees and plants during a freeze, but be sure the covering is properly weighted to the ground, not wrapped around the base of the tree or shrub.
For more of Carol’s tips for protecting your plants against severe weather, watch the full video.