Look around town, can you see it? Can you see that some of our tropical plants have been bit by the cold weather that we experienced last week? I've seen ixora, crotons, arboricola, purple leafs and many more showing the signs. All week long we've had customers stopping by the garden center looking for advice concerning cold damaged plants.

Friends, listen up, here's what you should do... NOTHING.

That's right, nothing. Be patient. Fight every urge that you have to get out there and prune off the dead stuff. If you prune right away and we get another cold snap, that just might do them in. Instead, this is what we recommend...

• *Don't prune your palms until the fronds turn completely brown (the palms will pull out their nutrients and push them towards their new growth).

• *Wait at least 3-4 more weeks to prune your shrubs (let's make sure winter is over).

• *Wait until we have a nice spring day of rain forecasted, do your pruning and apply some organic fertilizer.

• *Look for new growth to emerge on the stems of your plants. prune just above the last new growth, closest to the tips.

Your established plants will bounce back quickly. They already have a fully developed root systems and can support all of the new growth that the above ground part of the plant can throw their way.

Good luck everyone.

Everything Outdoors Garden Shop, located at 384 Old Dixie Hwy in Vero Beach was established in 2008 and is owned and operated by Spencer Porteous. Mr. Porteous is a State Certified Nursery Professional and has over 15 years experience in the green industry.