Frost on a pine needle by Lida Rose is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Your yard and garden represent an investment of your resources and time.  And since none of us has money to burn or time to waste, now is the best time to prepare to protect that investment before a hard freeze.  With the proper knowledge and if necessary, supplies, you can ensure all your plants survive the winter.        

First, let's look at some plants that are very susceptible to frost damage.  Young citrus trees are very susceptible to frost damage, as well as subtropical and tropical plants and trees.  These include, but are not limited to orange, lemon and grapefruit trees, banana trees and avocado trees, and hibiscus, bougainvillea and ficus.  Other plants sensitive to frost include but are not limited to aster, geranium, marigold, zinnia, geranium, aster, nasturium, and verbena. Succulents are also susceptible to frost damage.         

Luckily these days the weather people can predict in advance when freezing temperatures are likely to settle in.  When a freeze advisory is issued several days in advance, water the plants two to three days in advance of the predicted freeze.  Why?  Because this allows the soil to maintain the proper water content for maximum absorption of solar radiation. 

Don't water succulents before freezing temperatures set in.  Why? Because of succulents' ability to retain lots of water, during a freeze it increases the risk of ice crystals forming which can burst their cells.

If your plants are in planters, move frost sensitive plants next to your house, preferably under the cover of a patio, or next to any building wall that gets exposed to a lot of sun during the day.  Why?  Because the walls radiate the heat absorbed during the day.

Before the sun sets, cover frost sensitive plants and trees with floating row covers, nursery foam covers, burlap, or sheets or blankets.  (A double layer of row cover or nursery foam cover can provide up to 10 degrees of protection.) If using burlap, a sheet or blanket, use wood stakes, tomato cages or other supports to keep the fabric from weighing down the foliage on the tree or plant. Why?  Because it allows for greater air flow, plus, if the material you use as a cover gets wet, it could lead to colder temperatures near the fabric. Just remember to remove the cover during the day to recharge the heat in the soil, and to allow the greenery to absorb sunlight.