Do Plants Go Dorment In Florida Winter?

Question

Also, if you fertilize a plant during the winter in hotter climates, does it hurt the plant.

Answer 1

It depends on the plant, the winter and on the exact location in FL. For example, hydrangeas will typically go dormant elsewhere but around Ocala, either they go dormant in Jan or Feb, or they stay evergreen. It is best to not fertilize if the plant has foliage, use a low nitrogen fertilizer or use a fertilizer at half strength or less. If the shrub has no foliage now then do not fertilize until after all danger of frost has passed. For Fort Meyers, the average date of last frost falls around the 1st-2nd weeks of February.