ORLANDO, Fla. — As Central Florida continues to deal with the aftermath of cold snaps, drought conditions and burn bans, some outdoor events could be feeling the impact. That includes one popular spring tradition that draws thousands each year.
What You Need To Know
Cold snaps and drought conditions are impacting Central Florida growers ahead of the annual plant sale
Vendors say greenhouse heating helped protect plants but cost thousands of dollars and slowed growth
State agriculture officials estimate more than $3 billion in losses statewide due to recent freezes
The Harry P. Leu Gardens plant sale is set for March 14 and 15, and is expected to feature more than 40 vendors
At Harry P. Leu Gardens, spring usually means rows of vibrant blooms and vendors ready to sell out. But after weeks of cold weather and ongoing drought conditions across Central Florida, this year’s annual plant sale comes with a few more question marks.
“We specialize in exotic tropical ferns and foliage a lot of that can be generalized what you would consider house plants,” said Matt Roberts, general manager of Central Florida Ferns and Foliage.
Roberts says they’ve been participating in Leu Gardens’ plant sale for 15 years. Much of their inventory is protected inside greenhouses.
“We’re able to heat all the plants during the cold weather,” said Roberts.
He says greenhouses help shield delicate plants from frost, but that protection comes at a cost.
“An estimate across those three to four days for heating is probably close to $12,000. The only issue we have is it just slows the process down of the plants,” said Roberts.
Even when plants survive the cold, growers say the real impact isn’t always visible right away. Slower growth means smaller inventory, and that can affect how much vendors are able to sell. For small vendors, plant sales aren’t just community events. they’re critical revenue streams heading into the busy spring season.
“It’s our biggest event in general,” said Jennifer D’Hollander, executive director of Harry P. Leu Gardens. “We protected the most vulnerable plants, we tried to protect our annuals, we brought in all of out containers.”
D’Hollander says most of their tropical plants, like palm trees, were damaged from the cold.
Across Central Florida, drought stress and back-to-back chilly mornings have damaged inventory not just locally, but across the state.
In a statement on Feb. 20, Florida Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the state’s agricultural sector suffered more than $3 billion in estimated losses due to the freezes.
“I think it would get worse before it does get better unfortunately,” said Zari St. Jean, greenhouse and campus farm manager at Rollins College.
She says the says the weather pattern is unusual for Florida and the combination of cold and rain is further stressing plants that are accustomed to warm weather year-round.
“It’s only getting rainy because it’s getting cold which is further stressing our plants because they are having to go through that period,” said St. Jean.
As for Roberts and his company, they’re learning from this season and continuing to push forward.
“Every warm day and every warm night counts this time of year,” said Roberts.
The annual plant sale at Harry P. Leu Gardens takes place March 14 and 15, with organizers expecting more than 40 vendors to participate. The event is free for those who want to attend.