Early March Garden Cleanup After a Freeze

What To Do — and What Not To Do

If your Northeast Florida garden took a hit during the recent freeze, you’re not alone. Tender growth, browned leaves, mushy stems — it can look worse than it really is.

Before you start cutting everything back, pause.

1. Don’t Rush to Prune Freeze Damage

It’s tempting to tidy everything immediately — but those damaged leaves and stems are actually protecting the inner plant from future cold snaps.

Wait until:

• All danger of frost has passed

• You see clear signs of new growth

• Temperatures stay consistently warm

In many cases, what looks dead is just shocked.

2. Focus on Cleanup Instead

Now is the time to:

• Rake fallen leaves

• Remove fully dead annuals

• Clear debris from beds

• Top off mulch (lightly)

• Add compost around plants (not on stems)

Clean and refresh without cutting.

 3. Check for Life Before You Cut

Before trimming:

• Scratch the stem lightly with your fingernail

• If it’s green underneath, it’s alive

• If it’s brown and brittle all the way through, it may be dead

Patience prevents regret.

Hibiscus & Tropical Plants

Hibiscus especially can look absolutely terrible after a freeze — droopy, blackened leaves, even stem dieback.

But give it time.

Once warm weather settles in, you’ll often see tiny green buds emerging lower on the stems.

Don’t cut too aggressively until you’re sure.