Recent Hard Frost Information - Maricopa County, Arizona
Over the last week or so I have been approached by numerous sellers and future sellers and asked the impact of the possible loss of trees and plants due to the recent hard frost. There was a great article in the AZ Republic on this very subject one day last week and I have already posted another Blog on this very subject.
We all know that homes that have frost sensitive plants and trees are not looking very good right now. I am in the process of selling my current home and I have 9 Ficus Trees, 7 Hibiscus, 2 Cape Honeysuckles, 5 Yellow Bells, and 5 Lantanas. All of the above do not respond well to hard frosts along with many others and look nearly dead. With all the current interest I decided to call a Horticulturist and ask the pertinent questions. Below you will find the key points.
Do not trim any plants or trees until very late February after the risk of frost is past. The current dead looking parts of plants and trees acts as a barrier and provides protection for any future frost we encounter.
Absolutely no fertilizer again until the risk of frost has passed. Fertilizer promotes growth and these trees and plants need time to recuperate and regain their strength so they can come back strong in the spring.
Although I was advised not to do this you can take a pocketknife and make a small incision into any main truck or large arm. If you do this and see any green matter at all, the plant or tree is alive. One note of caution, should we have more frost this year, you have exposed the plant and it will do much more harm than good.
Below is a picture of the front of my home prior to the hard frost. Although the grass is still green most of the other green stuff now appears brown.
My hope is you find this info useful.