THE COURSE LOOKS AMAZING. I’VE HAD A REALLY GOOD SEASON SO FAR. I’VE JUST BEEN HAVING A LOT OF FUN AND NOT REALLY PLANNING TOO FAR AHEAD, NOT TAKING ANYTHING TOO SERIOUS. MICHELLE: WE’RE JUST A LITTLE EROV A WEEK AWAY FROM THE START OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES. YOU CAN WATCH THE OPENGIN CEREMONY ON FEBRUARY 4, RIGHT HERE ON WE 2SH. WITH A RARE FREEZE HEADED OUR WAY THIS WEEKEND NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE ANPLS TO PROTECT YOUR PLANTS. JIM: WESH 2’S AMANDA DUKES JOINS US LIVE FROMRLAN ODO’S COEGELL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE SHE GOT SOME EXPERT ADVICE. AMAN?DA AMANDA: I AM SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL PLANTS. AND IN CENTRAL FLIDORA’S SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE, THE PLANTS USUALLY DO VERY WL.EL ONE OF THE JOYS OF LIVINING CENTRAL FLORIDA’S SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE IS THE ABUNDANCE OF LOVELY FLOWERING PLANTS BUT OCCASIONALLY, A FREEZE THREATENS THESE DELICATE BE AUTIES AND WITH TEMPERATURES DIPPING INTO THE 20’S AND 30'’ BY SUNDAY MORNING, PLANT LOVERS NE ED TO PREPARE. >> YOU WANT TO PROTECT THE LEAF SURFACE FROM ANY FROST AND FST -- FROM ANY FROST AND FROST FORMING. IT IS JUST LIKE LITTLE ICE PARTICLES AND IT WILL FREEZE THE LEAF AND CAUSE IT TO BURN. AMANDA: ERIC APEN OF APENBERRY’S IN COLLEGE PARK SAYS FLOWERING PLANTS AND HERBS ARE THE MOST SENSITIVE TO A FREEZE. HE SAYS YOU SHOULD COVER THEM WITH A FROST CLOTH TO PROTECT AND INSULATE THEM. AND IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING USING A BED SHEET, NOT ADVISABLE. >> WHAT THEY DON’T DO IS PROVIDE INSULATION, THEY REALLY DON’T WARM THE PLANT. AMANDA: APEN ALSO SAYS DON’T USE PLASTIC. IT DOESN’T ALLOW PLANTS TO BREATHE AND CAN ACTUALLY MAKE THEM CDEOLR. OTHER TIPS ARE BE SURE TO ANORCH YOUR FROST CLOTH DOWN,S A FREEZING WEATHER TENDS TO BE WINDY WEATR,HE AND WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR OUTDOOR WATER SOURCES MAKE SURE YOUR SPIGOTS AND HOSES ARE TURNED OFF AND NOT LEAKING. THAT WATER COULD FREEZE. REMEMBER TO TURN OFF YROU AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM SATURDAY NIGHT BECAUSE ANY WATER SPRAYED ON YOUR PLANTS WLIL LIKELY HARM THEM. >> IF YOU ARE RUNNING WATER DAN THE TEMPERATURE IS LOW ENOUGH, THAT WATER IS GOING TOREE F . A LOT OF PEOPLE CALL AND SAY THAT THEY SEE THEM SPRAY WERAT IN THE CITRUS GROV.ES BUT THEY ARE DOING THAT TO PROTECT THE FRUIT. IT DOES STILL SOMETIMES DAMAGE THE PLANT. SO YOU DO WANT TO MAKE SURE AS YOUR AVERAGE HOMEOWNER TT'H’S NOT A TRICK YOU EMPL.OY AMANDA: YOU PROBABLY DOANT W TO GIVE YOUR PNTLAS A GOOD WATERING. WET SOIL HELPS HOLD IN THE H
Freeze in Florida Sunday morning could spell trouble for plants, sprinklers
![WESH logo]()
Updated: 3:08 AM EST Jan 28, 2022
One of the joys of living in Central Florida's subtropical climate is the abundance of lovely flowering plants.But occasionally, a freeze threatens these delicate beauties. And with temperatures dipping into the 20s and 30s by Sunday morning, plant lovers need to prepare."You want to protect the leaf surface from any frost, and frost forming is just like little ice particles and it will freeze the leaf and cause it to burn,” Eric Apen of Apenberry’s Gardens in College Park said. Apen says delicate and flowering plants, as well as herbs, are the most sensitive to a freeze.He says you should cover them with a frost cloth to protect and insulate them. And if you are considering using a bedsheet, it’s not advisable."What they don't do is provide insulation. They really don't warm the plant,” Apen said.Apen also says not to use plastic. It doesn't allow plants to breathe and can actually make them colder. Other tips are to be sure to anchor your frost cloth down as freezing weather tends to be windy weather.And when it comes to your outdoor water sources, make sure your spigots and hoses are turned off and not leaking. That water could freeze. Also, remember to turn off your automatic irrigation system Saturday night because any water sprayed on your plants will likely harm them."If you are running water and the temperature is low enough, that water is gonna freeze and people call us and say, 'we see that in Citrus Groves!' But they're doing that to protect the fruit but it does still sometimes damage the plants. So you do want to make sure, as your average homeowner, that's not a trick you employ,” Apen said.
One of the joys of living in Central Florida's subtropical climate is the abundance of lovely flowering plants.
But occasionally, a freeze threatens these delicate beauties. And with temperatures dipping into the 20s and 30s by Sunday morning, plant lovers need to prepare.
"You want to protect the leaf surface from any frost, and frost forming is just like little ice particles and it will freeze the leaf and cause it to burn,” Eric Apen of Apenberry’s Gardens in College Park said.
Apen says delicate and flowering plants, as well as herbs, are the most sensitive to a freeze.
He says you should cover them with a frost cloth to protect and insulate them. And if you are considering using a bedsheet, it’s not advisable.
"What they don't do is provide insulation. They really don't warm the plant,” Apen said.
Apen also says not to use plastic. It doesn't allow plants to breathe and can actually make them colder.
Other tips are to be sure to anchor your frost cloth down as freezing weather tends to be windy weather.
And when it comes to your outdoor water sources, make sure your spigots and hoses are turned off and not leaking. That water could freeze.
Also, remember to turn off your automatic irrigation system Saturday night because any water sprayed on your plants will likely harm them.
"If you are running water and the temperature is low enough, that water is gonna freeze and people call us and say, 'we see that in Citrus Groves!' But they're doing that to protect the fruit but it does still sometimes damage the plants. So you do want to make sure, as your average homeowner, that's not a trick you employ,” Apen said.
