How do you protect a Space Coast landscape from a freeze?

Cover tender plants when temperatures reach 32 degrees or lower, water a day or two ahead, and turn off irrigation before the freeze, according to UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County.

Florida's reputation for warm weather is deserved, but it is not a guarantee. Brevard County can have cold snaps, and a home with mature landscaping is worth protecting on those nights.

If you are moving to the Space Coast from a colder state, freeze prep will feel small compared to what you left behind. It still helps to know the basics, and to know that the climate differs between the mainland and the barrier islands. Here is what UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County recommends.

What hardiness zone is the Space Coast?

UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County states that the Brevard County mainland is in hardiness zone 9B, while central and southern Merritt Island and the beaches are in zone 10A. In practical terms, that means the beachside and much of Merritt Island tend to be milder than mainland communities, which matters if you want to grow tender plants.

Area of Brevard County Hardiness zone per UF/IFAS
Mainland Brevard County 9B
Central and southern Merritt Island 10A
The beaches 10A

When should you protect plants from cold?

UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County advises protecting tender plants when temperatures reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Orchids are the exception, and the extension recommends protecting them at 50 degrees.

Watch the forecast in the days before a cold front so you have time to prepare. The National Weather Service office in Melbourne posts forecasts and cold weather information for East Central Florida.

What should you do before a freeze arrives?

  • Water a day or two ahead. UF/IFAS recommends watering plants a day to two before the freeze arrives.
  • Turn off irrigation. The extension advises turning off irrigation systems before freezing temperatures arrive to prevent additional damage. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions also cautions homeowners against overhead irrigation during a freeze, because it wastes water and can create heavy ice that damages plants.
  • Move potted plants. Container plants that are tender should go to a warmer, sheltered area if a freeze or frost is predicted.
  • Gather your covers. Blankets, quilts, and frost cloth work for containerized and smaller plants, so check your supplies before the forecast turns.

How do you cover plants correctly?

For larger trees, UF/IFAS Brevard suggests building a structure with wood or PVC to support plastic so the foliage does not touch the covering. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions adds that covers should be draped so they completely touch the soil, which traps ground heat underneath, and that covers should come off once the temperature rises above freezing.

For hard freezes down to 28 degrees, Brevard's extension office suggests placing incandescent bulbs under the covers. It notes that LED bulbs will not work for this because they stay cool. Follow safe practices with outdoor electrical cords and lighting.

Should you prune frost-damaged plants right away?

No. UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County recommends delaying pruning until new growth appears in the spring, unless tissue becomes discolored or soft, in which case you prune below the damaged area. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions also advises against pruning cold-sensitive plants in late fall or winter, since newly pruned growth is especially vulnerable to frost injury.

After the freeze, the extension suggests watering plants once temperatures rise, particularly on sunny or windy days, and removing dead leaves once they turn brown or black.

How does this affect buying a home in Brevard County?

If you are shopping for a home on the Space Coast, landscaping is part of the picture. When you tour homes in Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Melbourne, and other Brevard County communities, ask what has been planted, how the owner has cared for it, and whether any plants are tender varieties that need protection on cold nights. It is also a fair question for a seller: which parts of the yard have needed protection in the past?

Sellers can help buyers by leaving a short note listing what is planted and any care routines. Small details like this give a buyer confidence about the property.

Read the sources directly: UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County: Cold Protection for Landscapes and UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Preparing the Landscape for Cold Weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what temperature should I cover plants in Brevard County?

UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County advises protecting tender plants at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, and orchids at 50 degrees.

Should I run my sprinklers during a freeze?

UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County advises turning off irrigation systems before freezing temperatures arrive, and UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions cautions homeowners against overhead irrigation during a freeze.

Is the beachside warmer than the Brevard County mainland?

UF/IFAS lists the mainland as hardiness zone 9B and the beaches, along with central and southern Merritt Island, as zone 10A.

Whether you are moving to the mainland or beachside, I can help you match a home and yard to how you want to live. My partner Nichole and I got your back. Reach out anytime at (321) 212-7676 or www.livingspacecoast.com.