- Author: Melissa G. Womack
Here are seven tips on how to protect your plants from freezing temperatures in California:
- Water your plants. Make sure your plants (not succulents) are hydrated before a freeze. Water the soil around the base of the plant, this will help to insulate the plant and keep it from freezing.
- Cover your plants. Use blankets, fitted bed sheets, or frost cloths to cover your vulnerable plants. Make sure the cover reaches all the way to the ground and is securely fastened to prevent cold air from seeping in. Do not use plastic covers, as they can trap moisture and damage the plant. Make sure to remove the covering when the temperature rises.
- Add warmth for your plants. Use incandescent miniature lights (not the LED type) to provide warmth and raise the temperature around your plants. Position a 100–150 watt light in the center of the tree and cover the plant with a sheet.
- Bring potted plants indoors. If you have potted plants, move them to a sheltered area (ie. Porch, indoors, under an awning), when temperatures are expected to drop. If possible, cluster potted plants close together in a sheltered spot close to the house. If plants are brought indoors, place them near a window that gets sunlight.
- Mulch your plants. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your plants. This will help to insulate the roots and keep the soil warm.
- Prune your plants. Prune any dead or damaged branches from your plants before a freeze. This will help to prevent further damage from occurring.
- Monitor the weather. Stay up-to-date on the latest weather forecasts and take action if freezing temperatures are expected. If possible, move your plants to a warmer location or cover them before the freeze sets in.
It's important to note that different plants have different levels of cold tolerance. Some plants are more susceptible to freezing temperatures than others. If you're unsure about how to protect a particular plant, consult with your local UC Master Gardener Program for advice, mg.ucanr.edu/FindUs.
By taking these steps to protect your plants from freezing temperatures, you can help ensure that they stay healthy and vibrant year-round. With a little extra care, you can keep your garden looking beautiful no matter what the weather brings. Stay warm this week!
Additional Resources:
Frost Protection for Citrus and other Subtropicals (UC ANR publication 8100)
https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8100.pdf
UC Master Gardener Program of Marin County, Problems, Extreme Conditions – Frost
https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/PROBLEMS/EXTREME_CONDITIONS/Frost_853/
Sat, 3/4 at 2:00 p.m. – Empire Library
Tues, 3/7 at 6:00 p.m. – Salida Library
Wed, 3/8 at 2:30 p.m. – Patterson Library
Sat, 3/11 at 2:00 p.m. – Riverbank Library
Mon, 3/13 at 6:00 p.m. – Ceres Library
Tues, 3/14 at 6:00 p.m. – Oakdale Library
Wed, 3/22 at 6:00 p.m. – Turlock Library
Mon, 3/27 at 5:30 p.m. – Modesto Library
Don't see your local library on our list? Contact them to request our classes.
/span>Mulching Perennials
Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs usually have an easier time getting through the winter if they are in good shape. However, if a freeze is forecasted, one of the most important things to do is to ensure they have been watered 2-3 days prior, especially if autumn has been dry. As with perennials, mulching with fallen leaves or other mulch will help protect the roots, but do not have mulch up against the tree trunk or plant stem, which could cause rot to occur.
Wrapping trunks of young trees with blankets, towels or piping insulation will provide added protection.
Bulbs
Wait until after the first frost, then gently dig up the bulbs or tubers. Cut away any leaves and brush off as much soil as possible. Let them dry out in a cool spot for about a week. Label them so you'll remember what they are! Pack them in a breathable box, such as a cardboard box, storing the bulbs so they don't touch each other, and cover them in sawdust or shredded newspapers. Keep them in a cool, dark location that is below 45°F, but doesn't freeze.
Citrus
Citrus plants can be protected by frost cloths which allow some light and air to penetrate and can stay on plants for a few days at a time. They can also lay directly on plant foliage. If you use other type of cloth such as burlap or cotton sheets, use stakes to hold the cloth away from the plant greenery. Remove it during daytime when temperatures are above freezing and sunny, and replace it each night prior to sunset. Whatever cloth you use, make sure the cloth goes all the way to the ground to capture radiant heat from the ground. If there is mulch around the plant, rake away during the day, if above freezing and sunny, to allow the soil to warm up.
Roses
Some roses are more sensitive to cold than others. As a group, hybrid tea roses are the most vulnerable. Make sure they are watered prior to predicted freezing temperatures, protect the root zone with mulch on the soil mound. You may also wish to cover your sensitive roses with frost cloths.
Container Plants
What do do if frost damages your plants? Wait!
Frost damage occurs when the water inside the cells of a plant freeze, causing damage to the cellular walls, which harms the overall health of the plant. Frost damaged vegetation will wilt, turning brown or black, as if they have been scorched. The bark may crack, or split. In severe or prolonged periods of frost the plant can die.
If you see what appears to be frost damage, wait until late spring until all chance of frost has passed. Plants are resilient and can often recover on its own, producing new growth. Pruning what seems to be damaged branches too soon can cause significantly more trauma, even death, to a vulnerable plant that might otherwise have recovered in the spring.
Resources
- https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=22929
- https://sacmg.ucanr.edu/Frost_Protection/
- https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=45517
- http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/frostdamage.html
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener in Stanislaus County since 2020.
Did you know? All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti?
This class will focus on the non-spiny succulent plants that can be grown in our area, especially those that use less water - and there are a lot to choose from! During class you'll learn the names of common succulent plants, their sun and water requirements, and how to care for them. Classes last approximately 90 minutes.
Stanislaus County Libraries – Gardening with Succulents Classes
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Salida Library
Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. – Riverbank Library
Monday, October 10, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Ceres Library
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Oakdale Library
Monday, October 24, 2022 at 6:15 p.m. – Modesto Library
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Turlock Library
Stanislaus County Agricultural Center, Harvest Hall, Gardening with Succulents Workshop
Cost: $25
Space is limited, register now at https://ucanr.edu/succulent/workshop/2022
Turlock Community Gardens – Drip Irrigation
Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Want to know more about how drip irrigation works? Come learn from our Master Gardener who will give you an overview. Bring your questions!
Patterson Library – Composting Basics
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 2:30 p.m.
If you missed our composting classes held at other libraries, you still have a chance to take this one! Learn the basics of composting, including the difference between “greens” and “browns,” what you can and can't compost, and simple tricks for being successful. Plus, one lucky person will take home a free compost bin!
*no need to register for Stanislaus County Library or Turlock Community Garden Classes. Just come. We look forward to meeting you!
/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>
- Author: Denise Godbout-Avant
Manzanita Pest
My first step was to go to the University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) website to possibly determine what the manzanita plants had. IPM is a wonderful resource with a wide range of links with information on science-based home, garden, turf, and landscape pest management. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/
After doing some exploring on IPM I learned the plants probably had Manzanita leafgall aphid (Tamalia coweni). I knew of galls caused by tiny wasps existing on some trees such as oaks but learning that some aphids can cause galls was new and fascinating knowledge to me!
This website also includes links to the Stanislaus Sprout which is a weekly blog packed with information, upcoming classes and workshops, and gardening publications. https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/
Managing the Manzanita Pest
One IPM solution given was to avoid frequent irrigation or with excessive amounts of water. Once manzanita plants are well-established, they thrive with less frequent watering, so I was already not watering them often. Pruning was not recommended since it would stimulate new growth, which could attract more aphids, though I did remove leaves with the galls on them.
Take Advantage of These Resources
You do not have to be a Master Gardener to take advantage of the science-based resources I have discussed, the Integrated Pest Management website and the Stanislaus County Master Gardeners' Help Desk. They are available to all, not just to Master Gardeners. Like me, you can continue to learn new information that you can apply to your garden!
Resources and Information
- Aphids: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html
- Beneficial insects, including lady beetle larvae and paper wasps: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/QT/beneficialpredatorscard.html
- Beneficial insects: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/QT/beneficialinsectscard.html
- Oak Galls: (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/oakgallwps.html