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Freeze fallout: Did our plants survive Florida's freeze?

via E.P. Richardson Ferneries

After a rare Florida freeze, damaged plants may still recover. Experts share key steps homeowners should take now — and what mistakes to avoid — to protect their landscape.

After one of the coldest stretches Florida has seen in years, many homeowners are still wondering and waiting to see if the brown leaves, drooping palms, and damaged plants will make a comeback.
But experts say what looks dead today may still recover — if you take the right steps now.
Florida Storms’ digital meteorologist Leslie Hudson explains how to tell what survived — and how to give your landscape the best chance to come back.

Homeowners should wait at least 6 to 8 weeks (or mid March) to see if plants recover from a Florida freeze. While plants may appear dead, browned, and crispy, the roots are often alive, and premature pruning can cause further stress or damage new growth if another freeze hits.

Leslie Hudson is an experienced Multimedia Journalist and Digital Meteorologist whose career is marked by significant professional milestones. A trailblazer in the industry, she holds the distinction of being the first female AMS meteorologist in the Orlando market. Her extensive background in public safety and emergency management led to her being appointed by Florida’s Governor to the State of Florida’s Hurricane Catastrophic Fund Council from 2002 to 2007. Notably, she was the sole meteorologist in the state selected for this prestigious council.
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