In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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December 6, 2007

Plan now to protect citrus from a freeze

While it’s raining, there’s no need to worry about frost, but we all know it’s only a matter of time before Jack Frost comes knocking at the door. While we’re cozy and warm inside the house, our plants are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Rain, fog, wind, frost--there’s no getting away from it.

But we can help.

Citrus trees, especially young ones, can be damaged or killed by a hard freeze Here are a few simple precautions. A word of advice, though. Plan ahead and have everything ready to protect your plants before the weather turns.

*Move citrus in containers to sheltered areas. Put them against the house or under the patio cover.

*Make sure they’ve been watered. This applies to ones in containers and in the ground. Plants - except succulents and tropical plants - can withstand freezing temperatures much better if there’s moisture at their roots.

*Throw a sheet or a blanket over the citrus if frost is predicted. If freezing weather is coming, hang large bulb Christmas lights in the tree for warmth.

*For a more permanent protection set-up, put four posts around the tree. When cold weather comes, wrap row cover or plastic around the posts and be sure to throw an old sheet or blanket over the top. This way, the plastic won’t be touching the leaves and you don’t have to worry about building a support structure each year for the plant. Take the blanket and plastic away when the frost is over. Never leave plastic on a plant on a sunny day.

*Some experts recommend harvesting ripe fruit while others say no. You decide. I’d go ahead and pick what’s ripe.

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