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Plants have frozen that never froze before; what do I do now? I have heard this question more than any other. First, we will have another freeze before spring and the plants will freeze again. We have cut plants down to the living tissue. If the flowers have frozen to the ground, such as cannas, ground covers, mums, lilies, etc., cut them to the ground. Many of the perennials will need to be dug, divided, and replanted. You may wait until the plants begin to come out in the spring and cut them off above the new growth. Fertilize and mulch them; you’ll be surprised how quickly they will grow. I have noticed many Sago palms with brown fronds. These fronds (leaves) will not turn green again. They will need to be removed. The palm should begin to green up again in the warm weather. Don’t become impatient. If the palm has begun to put up a new plant in the center, it will take much longer for the fronds to reappear. This is like the plant putting on a new baby. Continue to fertilize, compost, and mulch.

February is the month to plant asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower (transplants if you can find them). Continue to seed collards, Swiss chard, lettuce (leafy), mustard, spinach, turnips, Irish potatoes, and onion plants.

Prune fruit trees, ornamentals, trees, and shrubs; except early blooming varieties. Most fig, pear, and pomegranates will need very little pruning. If you are pruning oaks, they must be painted. February through June is the most active time for fungal mats and the beetles.

Remove the browned tops of liriope, monkey grass, and frozen ground covers. Using a raised lawn mower or weed eater is a quick way to remove the damaged grasses.

Continue to fertilize blooming annuals and perennials. Organic fertilizer may be placed on the plants, lawns, or trees at any time. Wait until March to feed with a chemical fertilizer.

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