Saving a Backyard Full of Tropical Flowers and Tomatoes
Florida doesn’t usually freeze like this.
Sure, we get the occasional cold snap, maybe a little frost on the grass but this time was different. The temperatures dropped hard, the wind howled all night, and by morning my backyard looked like something out of another state entirely. Icicles everywhere. Frozen hoses. Tables glazed in ice. Even the plants were coated in clear, glassy layers of frozen rain.
It was one of those moments where you just stand there, coffee in hand, and say:
“Yep… this is going to be one of those days.”
And as much as I love experimenting outside, I knew right away this was not the night to test Florida plants against Mother Nature.
🌬️ The Wind Was the Real Enemy
What really made this freeze brutal wasn’t just the temperature — it was the wind.
All around the neighborhood, I saw sheets blown clean off plants. Carefully wrapped hibiscus. Covered plumerias. Garden beds that had clearly been protected the night before… completely exposed by morning.
That wind didn’t care how well anyone tied things down.
And honestly? I felt terrible seeing it. You could tell people tried. The weather just had other plans.
Luckily I decided to take a different approach.
🚪 The Big Decision: Everything Goes in the Garage
Instead of fighting the wind, I went all in on bringing everything inside.
And when I say everything I mean everything I could physically move.
Plants lined the walls. Shelves filled up fast. Pots on the floor, pots on tables, pots wherever there was space. It wasn’t pretty but it was warm, protected, and controllable.
I set up:
- Multiple LED grow lights
- A small space heater, cycling on and off
- Good airflow so nothing stayed damp or stagnant
The goal wasn’t perfect growing conditions
It was survival.
💡 LED Grow Lights + Gentle Heat = A Win (So Far)
I wasn’t sure how this setup would perform in a real emergency.
But so far?
It’s worked remarkably well.
Leaves stayed green. No sudden drooping. No obvious cold damage. Even plants that hate temperature swings hibiscus, cassia, tropical cuttings handled it like champs.
The LEDs kept growth ticking along just enough, and the heater prevented that dangerous overnight plunge into plant killing temperatures.
Honestly, it felt like a small win in the middle of a chaotic weather event.
🌺 The Ones I Was Most Worried About
Some plants make you nervous no matter how prepared you are.
Tomatoes don’t love freezes. Neither do many flowering tropicals. Seeing ice cling to leaves earlier in the day made my stomach drop a little.
But once inside, they stabilized. No immediate collapse. No mushy stems. That alone felt like a victory.
Only time will tell how they bounce back but at least they have a chance.
🌱 Lessons From This Freeze
Every cold event teaches you something. This one taught me a few big lessons fast:
- Wind matters as much as temperature
- Sheets and covers can fail especially overnight
- Garages are underrated lifesavers for Florida gardeners
- LED grow lights aren’t just for growth they’re great for emergency protection
- Sometimes the best solution is the simplest one: bring it inside
And maybe the biggest lesson of all?
There’s no shame in playing it safe.
🌤️ Looking Ahead (Optimistically)
Right now, everything is still tucked in the garage, lights humming, heater cycling gently. Tomorrow morning will tell the next chapter of the story but I’m feeling optimistic.
Plants are resilient. Gardeners are adaptable. And Florida weather… well, it keeps us humble.
For everyone in my neighborhood who tried their best and still lost plants to the wind I truly feel for you. We’ve all been there.
Here’s hoping warmer days are right around the corner 🌞
And if not?
The garage is ready.