Winter Cold Protection

Citrus varieties have different cold tolerances. See the Citrus Variety Chart for specifics. Have an action plan in mind and the supplies you need on hand.

When temperatures are expected to go below the tolerance shown, action must be taken promptly to protect citrus trees and other cold sensitive plants.

Container trees are the easiest. Move them to a protected location where they will not freeze such as a porch, garage, or in the house.

For trees in the ground or for container trees you do not want to move, here are some other options:

• For certain, water the trees well. When soil freezes, it pulls moisture from the roots, damaging them. A combination of two or more the three ideas below will give you more protection than just one option.
• Anti-transparent sprays such as Cloud Cover will give 4-6 degrees protection for up to a month.
• Frost Covers, come either as bonnets or sheets. Other fabrics or plastic can suffice but will have to be removed in the day time. Frost covers breathe and can stay on the trees for days without damage. Make sure the material reaches to the ground, secure it so it doesn’t blow off the tree.
• Christmas lights placed in the branches of the trees can provide heat to offset the cold air.

Orchardists sometimes put their sprinklers on, but this only works while the sprinklers run. If they freeze up, you have ice entombed trees that may survive but may also have a lot of broken branches. This is not our preferred alternative.