• If your yard was damaged by the freezing temperatures, don’t panic. Some plants may look worse before they get better.
• Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive.
• Water your plants. Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight.

Recent freezing weather may have damaged plants in your yard, but not all damage is permanent.

Some plants may look worse before they get better, according to Sara MacDonald at the St. Lucie County Extension office of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

We compiled a list of things residents should do with their plants after freezing temperatures to help them recover and avoid causing more damage, along with some tips for preventing damage before the next freeze. Here’s what to do to tell if your plant has been killed, and how to save it if it still has a chance.

How to tell if a plant is killed by freezing temperatures, or just damaged

Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive. If it is brown or black, the plant is likely dead.

Guidelines for watering Florida plants before and after a freeze

Here are some things to remember when watering plants:

• Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight
• Cold, windy weather can dry plants out
• Water plants to help thaw soil and rehydrate roots
• Container plants may need extra attention
• Suspend irrigation during freezing conditions

Florida State football picked up another local product during National Signing Day. Florida High’s WR Keenen Jeune announced on Wednesday morning that he will be a preferred walk-on for the Seminoles and officially on Wednesday afternoon.

Jeune had a career year as a senior after finishing the last season with 46 catches, 759 receiving yards and five touchdowns. As a three-year starter, he recorded 73 catches, 1,138 receiving yards and five scores. He made second-team All-Big Bend.

The Tallahassee native is the fourth local player to be part of the 2026 class. Jeune joins Godby’s linebacker Trenton Rogers, who also signed his letter on the same day, and Gadsden County’s Jakobe Green and Daylen Green, both of whom are already enrolled.

Florida High finished 5-7 last season.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

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