Frost—Avoidance and Dealing with Damage

Garden Help > How To

While first and last frost dates are important for gardeners to be aware of, it's also good to know what you can do to prepare for frost and the deal with frost damage after it happens.

Preparing for Frost

When there's a threat of frost, make sure your frost-tender plants are well-watered. Soil that is damp can hold more heat than soil that is dry. According to the UC publication on the Principles of Frost Protection, ”when the soil is wet ... more heat is stored during daylight for release during the night.”

Frosts or a hard freeze can kill tender plants and can damage citrus, especially young plants so protection is a good idea on those cold, clear winter nights. Place stakes around tender plants and cover with clear plastic or fabric such as a sheet or old drapery. Don't let the material touch the foliage.

If plants are potted, move them to a sheltered area such as a porch, under the eaves on the south side of the house or even under a tree. Be sure to uncover them during the day. Moving them indoors to a cool room would be good if possible.

Frost protection sprays (known as anti-transpirants) are marketed for their ability to minimize water loss and reduce frost damage, however, results have been mixed and they're not recommended (sources: Placer & Nevada County, Ventura County)

Ice covered fruit trees at Emma Prusch Park in San Jose, caused by burst water pipe during a hard frost in January 2007, by Allen Buchinski

Dealing with Frost Damage

According to a UC article on frost:

• Frost injury to plants depends upon a number of factors, including species, age, health, soil moisture, and location.
• Frost injures plants by causing ice crystals to form in plant cells, making water unavailable to plant tissues and disrupting the movement of fluids.
• Frost-damaged leaves appear water-soaked, wither, and turn dark brown or black.

As much as you might want to remove frost-damaged branches right away, it's important to wait until spring. Early pruning can lead to further dieback along stems and branches because the dead material helps protect the plant from further damage. In addition, spring growth helps you assess the amount of damage, making the extent of damage clear to see.

Additional Information

• Ten steps for dealing with frosty weather, Napa County Master 
• UC Publication: Frost Protection for Citrus and Other Subtropicals
• Frost Protection and Extending the Growing Season