January Gardens Fight Cold Even In Florida

I have northern family who smirk when I mention cold in Florida but cold is cold.  After a week of temperatures falling to the mid twenties to low 30s, the neighborly wish of “take care” has been supplanted by “stay warm”.  Around here the weather men warn you to cover your ornamentals and bring in the pets which may seem trite to those of you from NY or Michigan but this is Florida after all.

This is the first year that I didn’t cover my plants. Most of my yard plants are tending to the overgrown stage and need cutting back anyway.   I have some cycads that I didn’t want to lose and brought in.  The rest are going to have to take their chances.  My yard is pretty sheltered and most of them seem to be coming through it but this cold spell is lasting longer than any I can remember in the 30 years that I’ve lived in Florida.