Landscape360°

Frost Alert! Quick Tips to Protect Your Landscape

November 7, 2025

While our winters are usually mild, early frosts do pop up and can catch even seasoned gardeners off guard. A single night below 32°F can damage plants, burst irrigation lines, and crack backflow preventers. Here's a friendly, easy‑to‑follow guide to help you safeguard your landscape when cold weather hits.

Frost Alert

 

What to Do Before the Freeze

  • Know your watering day. Starting November 1, Alachua County limits landscape irrigation to one day per week during Eastern Standard Time. Odd addresses – Saturday. Even addresses – Sunday. Non‑residential and common areas – Tuesday. Water only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. and run each zone no more than one hour (¾ inch). Alachua County Environmental Protection Dept.; SJRWMD Irrigation Rules.
  • Check your timer. Turn your controller to "off" or "rain delay" when a freeze is forecast, and make sure freeze and rain sensors are working so your system doesn't create icy hazards.
  • Bring tender plants inside. Move potted plants into the garage or porch. For plants left outside, use frost cloths or blankets on a frame that reaches the ground (not touching leaves).
  • Add mulch or soil. Mulch keeps roots warm. For young citrus trees, mound soil over the graft union and remove it once spring returns.
  • Water ahead of time. Moist soil stores more heat than dry soil, so give your plants a drink the day before a freeze. Don't run sprinklers during the freeze itself.
  • Wrap exposed pipes and backflows. Foam sleeves or insulated bags protect valves and above‑ground plumbing. Close the valve feeding your backflow device and open the test valves to drain water.

During and After the Freeze

  • Stay off frozen grass. Walking on frost‑covered turf can damage blades.
  • Wait to prune. Browned leaves and stems provide insulation. Prune once new growth appears in spring.
  • Inspect your system. After temperatures climb above freezing, run each irrigation zone manually to check for leaks or broken heads. Close test valves and reopen the backflow valve.
  • Lightly water stressed plants. A gentle watering can thaw cold soil and rehydrate roots.

We're Here for You

At Allegiance Landscaping, we're committed to keeping Gainesville's landscapes thriving year‑round. This Landscape360° article is for our Alachua County communities, and you're welcome to contact us directly any time—whether you have questions about winterizing your irrigation system, want help protecting a favorite plant, or need guidance insulating your backflow preventer. We're always happy to schedule a quick check or walk you through the process.

Stay warm and let's keep our community beautiful—together!

Destination: Excellence.

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