How to Protect Plants From a Freeze in North Texas

A hard freeze is coming. Cover, water and wait.

North Texas winters are mostly mild, which is the problem. Our plants get comfortable, then an arctic front blows through and temperatures drop overnight. Tender plants, new plantings and anything in a pot can take a real hit. A little prep before the cold arrives saves a lot of heartache (and replacement plants) in spring.

Here's what to do before, during and after a freeze.

Which Plants Need Protection From a Freeze?

Not everything needs to be babied. Focus on:

• Tropical and tender plants, like hibiscus, many succulents and anything labeled frost-tender.
• New plantings that haven't had time to root in.
• Potted plants. Roots in a pot are much more exposed than roots in the ground.
• Young trees and shrubs.
• Vegetable gardens and cool-season annuals in a hard freeze.

Established native and adapted plants usually handle a typical North Texas freeze better. If you're not sure, ask us.

How Do I Protect Plants Before a Freeze?

1. Water the day before. Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil. Water during the day, not right before temperatures drop.
2. Mulch the roots. Add a few extra inches of mulch around the base of tender plants to insulate the roots.
3. Cover plants. Use frost cloth, old sheets or blankets. Drape them all the way to the ground so they trap heat rising from the soil. Don't let covers just sit on top like a hat.
4. Avoid plastic touching leaves. Plastic can transfer cold. If you use it, keep it off the foliage with stakes.
5. Weigh down covers. North Texas wind will blow them off. Use rocks or bricks at the edges.
6. Move potted plants. Bring them into the garage, house or against a warm wall.
7. Group containers together if they can't come inside.

Should I Remove Covers During the Day?

Yes, if temperatures warm up above freezing and the sun comes out. Plants need light, and covers can trap too much heat on a sunny day. Put them back before night if another freeze is coming.

What About Sprinklers and Outdoor Faucets?

This is the step a lot of people forget. Turn your irrigation off or pause it before a freeze so water isn't sprayed on plants, sidewalks and driveways where it turns to ice. Cover the backflow preventer and disconnect hoses. Our guide on how to winterize your sprinkler system walks through it. If a pipe inside the house bursts, our water damage team handles mitigation.

What Should I Do After a Freeze?

Be patient. This is the hardest part.

• Don't prune damaged plants right away. Brown, mushy leaves look bad, but they help protect the plant from the next cold snap. Wait until new growth appears in spring to see what's alive.
• Water if the soil is dry, once temperatures are back above freezing.
• Check the stems. Scratch a small spot. Green underneath means it's alive.
• Don't fertilize damaged plants right after a freeze.
• Check your irrigation for cracks before turning it back on.

Many plants that look dead after a freeze come back from the roots.

How Can I Plan My Yard to Handle Freezes Better?

Choose plants suited to North Texas winters, put tender plants in protected spots near the house and keep up with mulch. Our guide to drought-tolerant landscaping in North Texas has more on choosing plants that handle our weather swings.

How Does G3 Property Care Help?

Our crew handles bed care, mulch installation, shrub trimming and irrigation repair. After a freeze, we can help clean up damaged beds and get your irrigation back in shape. When you call G3, it really is that easy. We help homeowners in Argyle and Northlake get beds ready for a freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want help getting your yard ready for the cold? Call G3 Property Care at (940) 391-5588 or visit our landscaping page.

Keep learning: see our Lawn Care & Landscaping page, read Spring Landscaping Prep for North Texas Yards.