[islandgal]

Here is an article from today's Orlando Sentinel, Tom's Digs,
that certainly answered many of my questions and hopefully will for you also:

Dealing with Cold Damage

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 07:13 AM PST

There is no doubt the cold caused more damage than in the past . Even covers did not work due to the extended cold unless heat was added.
There is damage to all tropical landscape plants, lawns, flowers and vegetables.
I did not try to cover the plants as I knew my efforts would be futile and it would take heat to keep them from freezing. Now is a good time to start over.

Below is a summary to answers I have been providing to your questions.

Why didn’t the covers work?

Simply stated it got cold – too cold for these coverings to give total plant protection. Coverings only entrap heat and keep out the cold for a period of time. Plantings recently experienced extended severe cold of about a week where the freezing temperatures were able to penetrate the covers and offset the heat from the ground.

Only an added heat source might have protected these plantings. Lights from outdoor Christmas decorations and other outdoor displays set under the covers without touching the fabric may have been a good heat source to protect the plants during the extended cold.

What about the lawn?

There is no rush to mow off the brown to expose the St. Augustine runners that could be damaged further by cold or even sun scald. The best plan is to let the grass begin growth and then mow the new leaf blades as you would normally. Don’t expect a lot of new green shoots until the temperatures are in the upper 70’s and 80’s. When the green grass begins to push up from the runners much of the brown is going to be hidden or mowed off. If need you can rake out the remaining brown when the new green grass appears.

Also let the grass and soil tell you when it’s time to water. In the beginning the lawn is going to need very little water. Once every 10 to14 days should be adequate. Take time to feel the soil from the surface to an inch deep. If moist no water is needed. When the surface soil begins to dry it is watering time. As the grass begins growth more water is going to be needed. Checking the soil and the appearance of the green leaf blades is the best way to tell when to water. Usually every 7 to 10 days is adequate for a growing lawn during the cooler weather. Also no feedings are needed until late February or early March.

Will my cold sensitive annuals and perennials recover?

Plants like begonias, impatiens and pentas have been heavily damaged. These are some of the most cold sensitive plants and most have been turned to mush. Maybe if the plants were in a well-protected area or covered the buds near the ground may still be alive. These could regrow new shoots but often the rot which follows the cold damage eventually affects these portions too. I think it’s replanting time.

When can I prune?

When you cannot stand the brown it is time to do the pruning. I know many say leave the brown on but I think it does very little good. Also when the plant is damaged it can only think of putting out new growth. So, after a few days of warm weather when you can tell what is damaged feel free to do the needed pruning.