Farmers, nursery owners race to protect plants while facing low temperatures across South Florida

Local farmers and plant nursery workers in Southwest Miami-Dade are rushing to protect their plants from the cold spreading across South Florida.

At Galloway Nursery in Southwest Miami-Dade, workers shared their plans to cover their plants from the cold.

“So a lot of plants that we sell here are tropical, they need warm weather, so we’re trying to cover them with tarps, and putting anything that’s in a hanging basket on the floor, to make sure it doesn’t get wind whipped.” said Javier Alemdo.

The nursery isn’t just protecting its plants, but pets as well.

“I’m just worried about the health of the animals on the nursery, and the tropical pets themselves. We kind of depend on selling these tropical plants to make a living.” said Alemdo. “Also for the animals, the cats and the parrots and all that. The parrots we actually put in the orchid room to protect them from the cold.”

If plants are in your home, nurseries said to do the same thing, to bring them inside and cover them with tarps or sheets.

Experts said that outdoor plants will also need more water.

“This is the most giving and forgiving tree you’ll ever have,” said Julian Lara, from Lara Farms Nursery.

The nursery is known for its rare fruits,...