Frost-Proof Your Garden: Stay One Step Ahead of Winter in Houston
Believe it or not, we’re just seven weeks from December, which means it's time to talk about frost. Houston's quick dips into freezing temps—usually between December and Valentine's Day—can be devastating for unprepared gardens. Nearly every Houstonian has a story of losing citrus, bougainvillea, or their favorite herbs to an unexpected freeze.
The good news? You can protect your landscape, veggie beds, and containers with a bit of prep. After all, you've invested time and money into your outdoor space. Let's not leave it to chance.
What to Do Now
Stock Up on Supplies: Get your frost cloth, clips, and anchors now—before everyone else in the country rushes to buy them.
Build a Shelter Plan: Whether it’s a DIY PVC frost tunnel or an off-the-shelf cloche, prep your protection setup now, not in a panic later.
Schedule Fall Mulch: A 2–4 inch layer of mulch insulates roots and shields them from cold snaps.
What to Do the Day Before a Freeze
Cover Plants: Use frost cloth or a breathable blanket all the way to the soil line. Avoid plastic and tarp—it transfers cold and can burn your plants.
Bring In Containers: Move sensitive container plants indoors or to a sheltered, warmer spot.
Insulate the Base: Heap mulch or dry leaves around the base of tropicals, citrus, and tender perennials.
Bonus Tricks:
Wrap old-school Christmas lights under frost cloth to add warmth
Use buckets of water near plants to create thermal mass and buffer the cold
What to Do After
Assess and Clean Up: Trim frost-damaged leaves and clear plant debris.
Wait on Pruning: Don’t hard prune shrubs and trees until March—wait to see what bounces back.
Replant with Confidence: If something didn’t survive, consider a Houston-hardy native for next time.
❄️ Frost Happens. Flourish Anyway.
Freezes are inevitable—but total garden loss doesn’t have to be. A bit of planning now will protect your landscape, save money, and give you peace of mind. Stay warm out there, Houston!
📸 Want to See It In Action?
Keep an eye on @flourishgardensolutions for frost cloth setups and supply links!