Photo by Jade Delaney
Many Louisianans are tempted to cut back and uproot plants after last week’s winter storms damaged tender plants, but LSU Ag Center professor Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard said try to hold off until the spring to remove that unsightly foliage.
“Because if you just assume that it’s all damaged and you whack it back, well then what happens it’s just going to take forever to flush back out, so it’s just honestly better to wait,” said Kirk-Ballard.
Kirk-Ballard said we could still see another freeze so it’s best not to prune or uproot anything just yet because the damaged part of the plant can act as insulator and protect the crown of the plant.
“It’s hard to look at these ugly and just wait, but what if we get another freeze and then you’re just adding another insult to injury,” said Kirk-Ballard.
She said typically by March 15th for south Louisiana and April 1st for the northern half of the state we won’t see another freeze.
Kirk-Ballard said if you are in the mood to trim things back, work on trees and hardy summer foliage like roses.
“Those will probably be safe to go ahead and prune those, but any of your tender stuff like the tropicals, that are just all mushy and look like yuck, I’d leave them alone right now and wait for a couple more weeks,” said Kirk-Ballard.
Kirk-Ballard said while many plants received damage above the ground, they are still alive beneath the soil and they will return from their roots.
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