Nurseries prepare for temperature drop

Floridian nurseries aren’t in panic mode when it comes to this week’s extended cold, but they’re not taking any chances either. At Tallahassee Nurseries on Thomasville Road, the city’s oldest and largest nursery, more than 80% of their inventory is covered with frost protection, in high demand due to the frigid temps.

Staffers were busy creating a “greenhouse” effect for the plants and flowers in order give them the most protection possible, said Melissa Hutchinson, marketing and community outreach manager at Tallahassee Nurseries. When temperatures drop below 32 degrees for a prolonged period of time, Hutchinson said that’s when the staff springs into protection mode.

“We do try to take it pretty seriously, just to protect (our) product and make sure everything is safe and sound when it comes to all of the plants that could be damaged,” she said. “With the snow last year, we’re just all-hands-on-deck when it comes to prep.”

Last year, a winter storm dumped an unprecedented combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain onto the state capital. The storm, especially for outdoor wholesale nurseries throughout the region, caused millions of dollars in losses and structural damage and weeks of cleanup. This week’s cold front, which is expected to drive temperatures into the 20s some mornings and possibly into the teens this weekend, isn’t causing mass anxiety for nurseries compared to last year.