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Preparing Citrus for a Frost
Many factors, including variety, affect a tree's ability to withstand cold. (See our Citrus Variety Information Chart for specific information by variety.) Preconditioning helps; trees exposed slowly to cold will fare better than those subjected to a sudden frost. Also, prolonged exposure to cold is more damaging than a brief plunge in temperature. To prevent future damage from cold weather:
- Listen for news of arctic cold fronts, and be prepared to take action!
- Water all garden plants thoroughly before a freeze-as freezing soil can pull sustaining moisture from the roots.
- Use anti-transpirant sprays such as Anti Stress or Cloud Cover.
- Put Christmas lights in the trees or landscape lighting under trees. This method often yields excellent results for cold-sensitive lemons and limes.
- Use frost blankets known as floating row cover or remay. This is a spun polyester material designed to cover trees and plants. It can be draped directly on the plants and secured at the ground to trap daytime heat. It can be left on during the day unlike plastic covers. Used in combination with lighting, it is a great way to protect cold-sensitive plants.
If your tree has already suffered frost damage, here's how to treat the damage.
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