'I'm not dead!' - Alabama Gulf Coast garden experts on what to do with your plants once the snow melts, post-freeze

BY KAYLA GREEN
Executive Editor
kayla@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 1/24/25

It might have been hard to notice when everything was blindingly white, but now that this week’s historic snowfall has – mostly – melted, you might be realizing your plants …

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'I'm not dead!' - Alabama Gulf Coast garden experts on what to do with your plants once the snow melts, post-freeze

Posted

It might have been hard to notice when everything was blindingly white, but now that this week’s historic snowfall has – mostly – melted, you might be realizing your plants aren’t very green anymore.

Snowfall up to 10 inches in parts of Baldwin County shattered records that date back to the 1800s in just one day on Jan. 21. Southerners, snowbirds and transplants of all ages spent the days off school and in-office work to make snowmen, find hills to sled or even ski down and in general make the best of the rare winter storm.

But not everything thrived when this tropical, coastal climate ushered in an artic blast.

“Did your plants wake up after the freeze looking like they just pulled an all-nighter? Leaves drooping, mushy and just having a vibe that all out screams ‘Don’t talk to me until spring!’” wrote Kitti Cooper, of Cooper Farm, a garden and citrus tree nursery in Foley. Cooper writes a bi-weekly column for Gulf Coast Media and provided advice for preparing plants before the storm.

Now, she says, there is still hope for those frozen, dead-looking things all over your yard.

“Most plants and trees are stronger than they look,” she said. “Have patience, and many will bounce back.”

UNCOVERING YOUR PLANTS

Once the freeze is over, Cooper advised, uncover your plants, but only do so if the covers aren’t frozen or weighed down by snow.

“Snow and ice might seem like trouble, but they actually insulate plants and protect them from harsh cold,” she said. “If your covers are dry, vent them during the day to prevent overheating, then tuck them back in at night.”

This is part of what Carmen Flammini, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System regional home grounds agent, says should be done as an initial post-freeze garden assessment.

“Summer and early fall plants will not survive snow or freezing temperatures,” Flammini said. “However, many plants are adapted to cold temperatures through dormancy and other evolutionary mechanisms.”

She recommends the following tips during a garden assessment:

  • Do not shake snow or ice off plants aggressively.
  • Check plants after the snow and ice have melted.
  • Inspect leaves and roots for damage after the snow melts.

LEAVE THEM ALONE

While trees and shrubs may be hardier than vegetable crops and flowers, home gardeners will not know the full extent of the snow or cold damage until spring, Flammini said.

“Avoid pruning heavily at this time, as premature pruning may remove live tissue that the plant needs for recovery,” Flammini said. “Wait until spring growth begins to determine which parts of the tree or shrub are dead.”

Cooper says woody plants like citrus trees, which are popular along the Gulf Coast, take time to heal and “compartmentalize any damage.” Pruning too soon after environmental stress can cause your plant to go into shock, “decide it hates where it lives and won’t bounce back or take a lot longer to bounce back,” she said. “Let them be moody in peace. Trust the process.”

“When it’s time to prune in late February or early March, gently scratch the bark to see if it’s green underneath — green means it’s alive,” Cooper said.

While all winter vegetables have different reactions to snow or freezing temperatures, Flammini said, there are some that may survive when others will not.

“In general, leafy greens like kale and spinach may survive under snow,” Flammini said. “Also collards and cabbages often tolerate prolong cold temperatures. Onions and broccoli are less tolerant but can endure brief freezing, but it will depend what variety was planted. Root crops like carrots, radishes and turnips are moderately tolerant and would have required heavy mulching to prevent damage.”

Flammini said tropical or tender plants were at the highest risk because they are not accustomed to the low temperatures. Dormant perennial plants should have been protected by snow insulation.

Cooper said winter flowers like pansies, violas and snapdragons are good at bouncing back. Even if your cool-season vegetables like kale, collards and parsley look droopy, they stand a good chance at perking up in a few days.

In general, don’t dump out any pots until spring if you’re unsure if a plant is or maybe was a perennial or not.

“Citrus trees might look like they’re throwing in the towel after a freeze, all leaves lost, but don’t count them out just yet,” Cooper said. “Leaf drop and twig dieback are common, but most mature trees will bounce back. Oranges, satsumas and grapefruits are the tough guys of the citrus world, while lemons and limes can be a little more delicate, especially when young. If the trunk is intact and the roots are healthy, new growth is just around the corner.”

NEXT STEPS

After covers are removed, ensure there is proper drainage and check for soil compaction, Flammini said. A new layer of mulch may be necessary.

Both experts recommend holding off on fertilizer until the weather returns to consistently warm in the spring, as applying it too soon can damage the roots.

“We don’t want them pushing out new growth yet because we want them in recover mode to heal,” Cooper said. “We also don’t want fresh new growth to be damaged by a future cold snap. Our last freeze is typically end of February, but Easter has always been a safe date for our area for fertilizing and replanting.”

Cooper said this is also a good time to plan. Start seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers and herbs, or sow fresh lettuce, arugula and other leafy greens outside.