&#160; Frost in the Panhandle? Practical Tips for Protecting Your Garden Here in North Florida, mild winters are the norm, but our occasional cold snaps can be enough to wreak havoc on our gardens. As you might remember, in December of 2022 the entire Panhandle experienced temperatures dipping into the teens and low 20s for [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_27529" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27529" style="width: 2560px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/frost-cloth-raised-bed-mcj-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="size-full wp-image-27529 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Anchor frost cloth securely to keep it tightly in place, as removing air gaps helps trap ground heat and shield plants from cold air. Photo by Molly Jameson." width="2560" height="1920" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/frost-cloth-raised-bed-mcj-scaled.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27529" class="wp-caption-text">Anchor frost cloth securely to keep it tightly in place, as removing air gaps helps trap ground heat and shield plants from cold air. Photo by Molly Jameson.</figcaption></figure>
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Frost in the Panhandle? Practical Tips for Protecting Your Garden
Here in North Florida, mild winters are the norm, but our occasional cold snaps can be enough to wreak havoc on our gardens. As you might remember, in December of 2022 the entire Panhandle experienced temperatures dipping into the teens and low 20s for several nights in a row, with some areas reaching as low as 18°F. This kind of unexpected freeze can catch even the most experienced gardeners off guard.
While plant covers are the go-to solution for many of us, pairing them with additional techniques can offer even better protection when temperatures dip. From common cold weather protection myths to practical DIY tips that enhance your plant cover’s effectiveness, knowing your options can make all the difference during an impending cold snap.
Cold Protection Myths and Misconceptions
When a frost or freeze warning hits, there’s plenty of advice flying around. Some of it’s helpful, and some, not so much. Here are a few misconceptions to clear up:
<figure id="attachment_27531" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27531" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/Photo-2-of-2-Article-TallDem-2016.10.05-This-Winters-Favorite-Fashions-for-Freezing-Frost-Cloth-is-In-by-Jonathan-Burns-scaled.jpeg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-27531 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="“Lollipop” trees will allow the heat from the ground to escape, giving the tree no cold protection. Photo by Jonathan Burns." width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/Photo-2-of-2-Article-TallDem-2016.10.05-This-Winters-Favorite-Fashions-for-Freezing-Frost-Cloth-is-In-by-Jonathan-Burns-225x300.jpeg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27531" class="wp-caption-text">“Lollipop” trees will allow the heat from the ground to escape, giving the tree no cold protection. Photo by Jonathan Burns.</figcaption></figure>
<ol>
<li>“It’s All About Covering the Leaves” 
Many gardeners believe that simply covering the leaves of their plants will provide adequate protection. However, this can lead to what’s commonly referred to as “lollipop” trees, where only the foliage is covered, leaving the trunk exposed. This is problematic because cold air can still penetrate, and the heat rising from the ground isn’t captured effectively. To ensure proper protection, the plant cover should touch the ground all around the plant to trap heat radiating from the soil, providing insulation from below. For best results, choose a medium-weight frost cloth (about 1 to 1.5 oz/yd²) made from breathable polypropylene or polyester fabric. These materials offer excellent insulation, providing about 4 to 8 degrees of temperature protection, depending on factors like cloth weight, ground heat trapped, and wind conditions. Frost cloth also allows moisture and air exchange, which helps prevent overheating on sunny days.</li>
<li>“A Plastic Sheet Works Just as Well as Frost Cloth” 
Throwing a plastic sheet over your plants might seem like an easy fix, but it often leads to more harm than good. Plastic is non-breathable, which can trap condensation and freeze on the plant’s surface. It also doesn’t insulate well, transferring cold temperatures directly to the leaves and stems. If you must use plastic in a pinch, make sure it doesn’t touch the plants directly and that it’s securely anchored to the ground to effectively trap warmth. Be sure to remove it in the morning once temperatures start to rise to avoid overheating.</li>
<li>“Covering Your Plants Alone is Enough”
<figure id="attachment_27535" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27535" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/ghazvini-pvc-hoops-cold-protection-cement-bricks-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-27535 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/ghazvini-pvc-hoops-cold-protection-cement-bricks-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27535" class="wp-caption-text">With PVC hoops ready to hold frost cloth and a thick layer of pine straw mulch, these raised beds are prepped for whatever winter throws their way. Photo by Molly Jameson.</figcaption></figure>
While covering plants is crucial, sometimes additional steps can make a big difference. Mulching around the base of plants with a thick layer of pine straw or leaves helps insulate the soil and trap ground heat. It’s a small step that offers big protection to the roots and lower stems.</li>
<li>“Watering Plants Before a Freeze Doesn’t Help” 
Watering the soil around your plants before a freeze is a good practice because moist soil retains heat better than dry soil. This can help keep the root zone warmer overnight. However, it’s important to focus on watering the soil rather than the leaves. Water on foliage can freeze and cause damage, so it’s best to keep leaves dry as the temperatures drop. A deep watering a day or two before the cold hits is ideal for giving your plants a fighting chance.</li>
</ol>
DIY Cold Protection Solutions
If expensive greenhouses and plant covers are out of your budget or you want to get creative, there are plenty of do-it-yourself solutions for protecting your plants:
<ul>
<li>Recycled Materials as Frost Protection 
Old bedsheets, towels, or even buckets and cardboard boxes can be used in a pinch to cover smaller plants. Just be sure to anchor them down well, so they don’t blow away.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>DIY Hoop HousesFor taller or sprawling plants, construct simple hoop houses using PVC piping with breathable frost cloth or lightweight plastic sheeting. Unlike placing plastic directly on plants, hoop houses create an air gap between the plastic and the plants, which helps trap heat from the soil while preventing direct contact damage. If using plastic, seal it tightly at night to trap warmth, and open it partially during the day to prevent overheating or excessive moisture buildup as temperatures rise. These low tunnels are perfect for garden beds or fruiting plants that need a little more room under cover.
<figure id="attachment_27533" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27533" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/Heliconia-cold-cover-constructed-with-pvc-pipe-3-1-of-1-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-27533 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="204" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leonco/files/2024/11/Heliconia-cold-cover-constructed-with-pvc-pipe-3-1-of-1-300x204.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27533" class="wp-caption-text">A temporary hoop house can be constructed using PVC pipes as the frame and polyethylene film as the covering to protect cold-sensitive plants during freezes. Photo by David W. Marshall.</figcaption></figure></li>
<li>String Lights for Added Warmth 
For extra protection, consider using outdoor-rated incandescent string lights (not LEDs, which don’t produce heat). Drape the lights around or near the plant under the covering to create a gentle source of warmth, which can raise temperatures by a few degrees on especially cold nights. For fire safety, keep lights from direct contact with dry materials and use only moisture-safe, outdoor lights.</li>
<li>Windbreaks to Stop the Chill 
In areas with open landscapes, cold winds can make frost damage even worse. Planting a hedge or using temporary barriers like hay bales or pallets can shield your garden from icy gusts and protect your more delicate plants.</li>
</ul>
Long-term Planning: Choose Cold-Tolerant Varieties
One of the best ways to prepare for cold snaps is to plant cold-tolerant varieties suited to North Florida’s climate. Vegetables like collards, kale, and carrots, or perennials like rosemary and garlic chives, can withstand mild freezes with little effort. If you’re growing fruit trees, look for varieties with proven cold tolerance or dwarf varieties that are easier to cover.
With a little planning and a few simple techniques, you can protect your garden from unexpected cold spells and keep it thriving through our chilliest nights.

Anchor frost cloth securely to keep it tightly in place, as removing air gaps helps trap ground heat and shield plants from cold air. Photo by Molly Jameson.
 
Frost in the Panhandle? Practical Tips for Protecting Your Garden
Here in North Florida, mild winters are the norm, but our occasional cold snaps can be enough to wreak havoc on our gardens. As you might remember, in December of 2022 the entire Panhandle experienced temperatures dipping into the teens and low 20s for several nights in a row, with some areas reaching as low as 18°F. This kind of unexpected freeze can catch even the most experienced gardeners off guard.
While plant covers are the go-to solution for many of us, pairing them with additional techniques can offer even better protection when temperatures dip. From common cold weather protection myths to practical DIY tips that enhance your plant cover’s effectiveness, knowing your options can make all the difference during an impending cold snap.
Cold Protection Myths and Misconceptions
When a frost or freeze warning hits, there’s plenty of advice flying around. Some of it’s helpful, and some, not so much. Here are a few misconceptions to clear up:
“Lollipop” trees will allow the heat from the ground to escape, giving the tree no cold protection. Photo by Jonathan Burns.

“It’s All About Covering the Leaves”
“A Plastic Sheet Works Just as Well as Frost Cloth”
“Covering Your Plants Alone is Enough”
With PVC hoops ready to hold frost cloth and a thick layer of pine straw mulch, these raised beds are prepped for whatever winter throws their way. Photo by Molly Jameson.
While covering plants is crucial, sometimes additional steps can make a big difference. Mulching around the base of plants with a thick layer of pine straw or leaves helps insulate the soil and trap ground heat. It’s a small step that offers big protection to the roots and lower stems.
“Watering Plants Before a Freeze Doesn’t Help”
DIY Cold Protection Solutions
If expensive greenhouses and plant covers are out of your budget or you want to get creative, there are plenty of do-it-yourself solutions for protecting your plants:
Recycled Materials as Frost Protection
DIY Hoop HousesFor taller or sprawling plants, construct simple hoop houses using PVC piping with breathable frost cloth or lightweight plastic sheeting. Unlike placing plastic directly on plants, hoop houses create an air gap between the plastic and the plants, which helps trap heat from the soil while preventing direct contact damage. If using plastic, seal it tightly at night to trap warmth, and open it partially during the day to prevent overheating or excessive moisture buildup as temperatures rise. These low tunnels are perfect for garden beds or fruiting plants that need a little more room under cover.
A temporary hoop house can be constructed using PVC pipes as the frame and polyethylene film as the covering to protect cold-sensitive plants during freezes. Photo by David W. Marshall.
String Lights for Added Warmth
Windbreaks to Stop the Chill
Long-term Planning: Choose Cold-Tolerant Varieties
One of the best ways to prepare for cold snaps is to plant cold-tolerant varieties suited to North Florida’s climate. Vegetables like collards, kale, and carrots, or perennials like rosemary and garlic chives, can withstand mild freezes with little effort. If you’re growing fruit trees, look for varieties with proven cold tolerance or dwarf varieties that are easier to cover.
With a little planning and a few simple techniques, you can protect your garden from unexpected cold spells and keep it thriving through our chilliest nights.

Frost in the Panhandle? Practical Tips for Protecting Your Garden Here in North Florida, mild winters are the norm, but our occasional cold snaps can be enough to wreak havoc on our gardens. As you might remember, in December of 2022 the entire Panhandle experienced temperatures dipping into the teens and low 20s for […]

Frost in the Panhandle? Practical Tips for Protecting Your Garden

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and Jianjun Chen Miami-Dade County is the top producer of ornamental crops in Florida, with a total value of around 700 million in 2017. Most ornamental crops are subtropical and tropical in origin and sensitive to temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C), particularly to temperatures near freezing points during winter months. [&#8230;]

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and Jianjun Chen
Miami-Dade County is the top producer of ornamental crops in Florida, with a total value of around 700 million in 2017. Most ornamental crops are subtropical and tropical in origin and sensitive to temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C), particularly to temperatures near freezing points during winter months. In Miami-Dade County, winter temperatures rarely drop to below freezing temperatures. However, temperatures below 50 °F but above or close to the freezing point can occur, which could cause chilling injury on sensitive plants, especially those tropical foliage plants, such as Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia.
Chilling injury often leads to sunken pits on leaves, leaf wilting with water-soaked spots or entire leaves, reduced growth or sprouting capability, and necrosis due to following warm temperatures. Such symptoms can substantially reduce the aesthetic value of ornamental plants. This publication is intended to provide nursery growers with information on when they need to pay attention to cold weather and corresponding measures to mitigate injury to ornamental plants from low temperatures.
Characteristics of local winter weather
During the last five years, from 2018 to 2023, the month of January had an average of 2.8 (2-4) cold events each year, followed by December, February, and November with 1.8 (1-3), 0.8 (0-2), and 0.4 (0-1) cold events, respectively. The lowest temperature occurred in the month of January in 3 out of 5 winters, and they were close to the freezing point in the last two winters. December had the lowest temperature in only one winter, 2019-2020. The average days with temperatures lower than 50 °F over the five winters were 8 (5-11), 4 (1-7), 1.6 (0-3), and 0.6 (0-2) in the months of January, December, February, and November, respectively. Among the 29 cold events in the five winters, only 2 of them had the lowest temperatures reached close to the freezing point (lower than 35 °F), and one of them occurred in the month of February 2021.
Passive cold protection
In Miami-Dade County, most ornamental plants are grown in shade houses or open fields. Preventive methods may be more practical for protecting plants from chilling injury, which include site management of cold air drainage, plant selection and management, plant nutrition, irrigation management, and weather monitoring.
Site management. Cold events are often associated with wind. Damage to the plants during such cold events is directional, usually located on the west and north sides of the production area. Having tall plantings and fences at the west and north sides of the shade houses and fields may help mitigate the damage to plants from cold events like advective freezes. However, leaving certain entryways within those plantings may help improve air drainage through nursery crops and prevent cold air from settling down.
Plant selection and their management. Plant selection and their management, particularly fertilizer management, are critical in mitigating damage to plants from low temperatures. Shipping the most susceptible plants before the chilling event, usually before the Thanksgiving holiday, would be a good choice to avoid losses. Due to the relatively long growing period, particularly for foliage plants, chilling temperatures cannot be avoided. Selecting cultivars that are tolerant to low temperatures if available, would be the best choice as there are significant differences in chill sensitivity among genera and even cultivars.
Hardy or cold-acclimated plants can improve plant tolerance to cold weather.  Limiting the new growth in the late fall, October to November, through the reduction of fertilizer amount to two-thirds of the standard rate in south Florida, or even avoiding nitrogen application, may help acclimate the plants to low temperatures. In addition, the application of silicon may help enhance chilling resistance for ornamental plants.
Low-temperature monitoring and overhead irrigation. Close-to-freezing point temperatures did occasionally occur in Miami-Dade County though it may only last for a few hours. When a very cold event is certain to affect the area, turning on the overhead sprinklers to provide adequate water to maintain a film of liquid water on the foliage surfaces; otherwise, more severe damage will be incurred than no cold protection through irrigation at all. In addition, watering plants to field or container capacity during the day before such a cold event can help protect the plants by increasing heat absorption and storage.
It is also critical to monitor the night temperature when near-freezing temperatures are forecasted, which will help make an onsite decision whether or not to turn on the overhead irrigation, as such freezing temperatures usually occur from midnight to early morning hours. Irrigation is valuable tool to save ornamental plants whenever such a near-freezing cold event is to happen. Growers can monitor the temperature in their nurseries using a thermometer or by accessing the weather data at the Homestead weather station of FAWN. When the temperature drops to a critical point, start the overhead irrigation, and turn off the irrigation after the air temperature is stable above 35 °F.
When will there be no more chilling weather? Over the last five years (2019-2022), temperatures stably stay above 50 °F appeared to be after the first 7-10 days in February in Miami-Dade County (Fig. 1). There will be no concern of damage from chilling temperatures, and growers can start their normal production protocol to meet their shipping dates of specific ornamental crops.
In summary, nursery growers in Miami-Dade County need to watch for low temperatures from late December through early February. It is very important to prepare plants to acclimate to chilling temperatures. When it is certain that a nighttime temperature could drop to the freezing level, turning on overhead irrigation could help mitigate injuries to ornamental plants.
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2023/10/Blog2-10-11-23.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-6713 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="600" height="409" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2023/10/Blog2-10-11-23.jpg"></a>
&nbsp;

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and Jianjun Chen
Miami-Dade County is the top producer of ornamental crops in Florida, with a total value of around 700 million in 2017. Most ornamental crops are subtropical and tropical in origin and sensitive to temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C), particularly to temperatures near freezing points during winter months. In Miami-Dade County, winter temperatures rarely drop to below freezing temperatures. However, temperatures below 50 °F but above or close to the freezing point can occur, which could cause chilling injury on sensitive plants, especially those tropical foliage plants, such as Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia.
Chilling injury often leads to sunken pits on leaves, leaf wilting with water-soaked spots or entire leaves, reduced growth or sprouting capability, and necrosis due to following warm temperatures. Such symptoms can substantially reduce the aesthetic value of ornamental plants. This publication is intended to provide nursery growers with information on when they need to pay attention to cold weather and corresponding measures to mitigate injury to ornamental plants from low temperatures.
Characteristics of local winter weather
During the last five years, from 2018 to 2023, the month of January had an average of 2.8 (2-4) cold events each year, followed by December, February, and November with 1.8 (1-3), 0.8 (0-2), and 0.4 (0-1) cold events, respectively. The lowest temperature occurred in the month of January in 3 out of 5 winters, and they were close to the freezing point in the last two winters. December had the lowest temperature in only one winter, 2019-2020. The average days with temperatures lower than 50 °F over the five winters were 8 (5-11), 4 (1-7), 1.6 (0-3), and 0.6 (0-2) in the months of January, December, February, and November, respectively. Among the 29 cold events in the five winters, only 2 of them had the lowest temperatures reached close to the freezing point (lower than 35 °F), and one of them occurred in the month of February 2021.
Passive cold protection
In Miami-Dade County, most ornamental plants are grown in shade houses or open fields. Preventive methods may be more practical for protecting plants from chilling injury, which include site management of cold air drainage, plant selection and management, plant nutrition, irrigation management, and weather monitoring.
Site management. Cold events are often associated with wind. Damage to the plants during such cold events is directional, usually located on the west and north sides of the production area. Having tall plantings and fences at the west and north sides of the shade houses and fields may help mitigate the damage to plants from cold events like advective freezes. However, leaving certain entryways within those plantings may help improve air drainage through nursery crops and prevent cold air from settling down.
Plant selection and their management. Plant selection and their management, particularly fertilizer management, are critical in mitigating damage to plants from low temperatures. Shipping the most susceptible plants before the chilling event, usually before the Thanksgiving holiday, would be a good choice to avoid losses. Due to the relatively long growing period, particularly for foliage plants, chilling temperatures cannot be avoided. Selecting cultivars that are tolerant to low temperatures if available, would be the best choice as there are significant differences in chill sensitivity among genera and even cultivars.
Hardy or cold-acclimated plants can improve plant tolerance to cold weather.  Limiting the new growth in the late fall, October to November, through the reduction of fertilizer amount to two-thirds of the standard rate in south Florida, or even avoiding nitrogen application, may help acclimate the plants to low temperatures. In addition, the application of silicon may help enhance chilling resistance for ornamental plants.
Low-temperature monitoring and overhead irrigation. Close-to-freezing point temperatures did occasionally occur in Miami-Dade County though it may only last for a few hours. When a very cold event is certain to affect the area, turning on the overhead sprinklers to provide adequate water to maintain a film of liquid water on the foliage surfaces; otherwise, more severe damage will be incurred than no cold protection through irrigation at all. In addition, watering plants to field or container capacity during the day before such a cold event can help protect the plants by increasing heat absorption and storage.
It is also critical to monitor the night temperature when near-freezing temperatures are forecasted, which will help make an onsite decision whether or not to turn on the overhead irrigation, as such freezing temperatures usually occur from midnight to early morning hours. Irrigation is valuable tool to save ornamental plants whenever such a near-freezing cold event is to happen. Growers can monitor the temperature in their nurseries using a thermometer or by accessing the weather data at the Homestead weather station of FAWN. When the temperature drops to a critical point, start the overhead irrigation, and turn off the irrigation after the air temperature is stable above 35 °F.
When will there be no more chilling weather? Over the last five years (2019-2022), temperatures stably stay above 50 °F appeared to be after the first 7-10 days in February in Miami-Dade County (Fig. 1). There will be no concern of damage from chilling temperatures, and growers can start their normal production protocol to meet their shipping dates of specific ornamental crops.
In summary, nursery growers in Miami-Dade County need to watch for low temperatures from late December through early February. It is very important to prepare plants to acclimate to chilling temperatures. When it is certain that a nighttime temperature could drop to the freezing level, turning on overhead irrigation could help mitigate injuries to ornamental plants.

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and Jianjun Chen Miami-Dade County is the top producer of ornamental crops in Florida, with a total value of around 700 million in 2017. Most ornamental crops are subtropical and tropical in origin and sensitive to temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C), particularly to temperatures near freezing points during winter months. […]

When and How to Protect Ornamental Plants in Miami-Dade County During Winter

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and William R. Lusher Ornamental productions in Miami-Dade County are concentrated in the Homestead area, the southwest corner of the County. During the wintertime, particularly from late December through January, the temperature occasionally could drop to below 40 °F, which can cause irreversible damage to the tropical and subtropical plants without [&#8230;]

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and William R. Lusher
Ornamental productions in Miami-Dade County are concentrated in the Homestead area, the southwest corner of the County. During the wintertime, particularly from late December through January, the temperature occasionally could drop to below 40 °F, which can cause irreversible damage to the tropical and subtropical plants without further protection.
When a strong cold front is forecasted to affect Miami-Dade County, nursery growers are on alert about the potential occurrence of near-freezing temperatures during the night.  When such a low temperature is at a critical point, growers need to decide whether to turn on the overhead irrigation to protect their high-valued plants. Growers can either set up thermometers at their nurseries to monitor the temperature onsite, or they can check on current temperatures provided by public weather services.
There are two public weather information available for nursery growers in the Homestead area: the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN). Though Homestead is geographically very close to Miami, the temperature data in January for the Miami area is very different from that for the Homestead area, particularly when the lowest temperature is the concern regarding cold protection (Fig. 1). When looking at the temperatures for the Homestead area, the weather data from two sources were relatively close; however, the readings from FAWN were relatively lower than those from NWS, particularly in the last three years (Fig. 1).
Cooler air sinks during a cold event, so air temperature closer to the ground will reflect real conditions where ornamental plants are in the nurseries. This is critical for growers when they are monitoring the temperature as it drops to near freezing. Within the last two winters, the weather station from FAWN recorded lower minimum temperatures than that of NWS for the Homestead area regarding the dangerously low temperatures for the plants (Fig. 2).
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2023/09/Fig.1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-6657 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="402" height="257" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2023/09/Fig.1-300x192.jpg"> Fig. 1                                </a><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2023/09/Fig.2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-6661 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="426" height="252" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2023/09/Fig.2-300x178.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2023/09/Fig.1.jpg">   Fig. 2 </a>
&nbsp;
In summary, FAWN may be a better source for more accurate low temperatures during an extreme cold event when nursery growers in Miami-Dade County need it for decision-making on whether to turn on the overhead irrigation to protect the valuable ornamental plants through the coldest period.
&nbsp;
Figure 1. Average lowest temperatures recorded for the Miami area (M) and the Homestead area (H) in January from 2019 to 2023 through the National Weather Service (NWS) and Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN). The temperature data from FAWN were the ones recorded at 60 cm above ground located at the University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead.
Figure 2. Near-freezing temperatures recorded in the last three years for the Homestead area through the National Weather Service (NWS) and Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN).

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and William R. Lusher
Ornamental productions in Miami-Dade County are concentrated in the Homestead area, the southwest corner of the County. During the wintertime, particularly from late December through January, the temperature occasionally could drop to below 40 °F, which can cause irreversible damage to the tropical and subtropical plants without further protection.
When a strong cold front is forecasted to affect Miami-Dade County, nursery growers are on alert about the potential occurrence of near-freezing temperatures during the night.  When such a low temperature is at a critical point, growers need to decide whether to turn on the overhead irrigation to protect their high-valued plants. Growers can either set up thermometers at their nurseries to monitor the temperature onsite, or they can check on current temperatures provided by public weather services.
There are two public weather information available for nursery growers in the Homestead area: the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN). Though Homestead is geographically very close to Miami, the temperature data in January for the Miami area is very different from that for the Homestead area, particularly when the lowest temperature is the concern regarding cold protection (Fig. 1). When looking at the temperatures for the Homestead area, the weather data from two sources were relatively close; however, the readings from FAWN were relatively lower than those from NWS, particularly in the last three years (Fig. 1).
Cooler air sinks during a cold event, so air temperature closer to the ground will reflect real conditions where ornamental plants are in the nurseries. This is critical for growers when they are monitoring the temperature as it drops to near freezing. Within the last two winters, the weather station from FAWN recorded lower minimum temperatures than that of NWS for the Homestead area regarding the dangerously low temperatures for the plants (Fig. 2).
 Fig. 1                                   Fig. 2 
 
In summary, FAWN may be a better source for more accurate low temperatures during an extreme cold event when nursery growers in Miami-Dade County need it for decision-making on whether to turn on the overhead irrigation to protect the valuable ornamental plants through the coldest period.
 
Figure 1. Average lowest temperatures recorded for the Miami area (M) and the Homestead area (H) in January from 2019 to 2023 through the National Weather Service (NWS) and Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN). The temperature data from FAWN were the ones recorded at 60 cm above ground located at the University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead.
Figure 2. Near-freezing temperatures recorded in the last three years for the Homestead area through the National Weather Service (NWS) and Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN).

Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, and William R. Lusher Ornamental productions in Miami-Dade County are concentrated in the Homestead area, the southwest corner of the County. During the wintertime, particularly from late December through January, the temperature occasionally could drop to below 40 °F, which can cause irreversible damage to the tropical and subtropical plants without […]

Where to Find Weather Information for Nursery Growers in Miami-Dade County When Monitoring Low Temperatures for Cold Protection?

<h3>Weather Updates:</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weather.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Weather Service</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/#page=ovw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weather Prediction Center (NOAA)</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>UF/IFAS Blog posts</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/12/15/cold-protection-plants-qa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covering Plants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/lakeco/2022/12/21/caring-for-livestock-during-colder-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caring for Livestock During Cold(er) Weather</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/global/2015/11/02/protecting-pets-and-livestock-from-cold-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Protecting Pets and Livestock from Cold Weather</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/2022/12/21/cold-weather-on-the-way-what-should-we-do-to-protect-our-plants-in-miami-dade/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cold Weather on the Way! What should we do to protect our plants in Miami Dade?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okaloosaco/2022/12/21/rollercoaster-temperatures-in-nw-florida/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rollercoaster Temperatures in NW Florida</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>National Resources:</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/winter-storm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winter Storms (USDA)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://extensiondisaster.net/resource-results/?_sf_s=winter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winter weather resources (EDEN)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://extensiondisaster.net/hazard-resources/naturally-occurring/winter-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winter weather (EDEN)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/chimney-fire-precautions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chimney Fire Precautions (FEMA)</a></li>
</ul>

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