OCALA, Fla. — As winter weather moves across the southeast and Florida, Marion County is preparing for some cold temperatures this week.

What You Need To Know

  • Feel like temperatures in Marion County will dip into the lower 20s Tuesday night with even colder weather coming by Friday

  • Landscapers at Tower Hill Nursery spent much of Tuesday rolling out plastic over their plants to protect them from the cold weather

  • Experts say homeowners in Marion County should cover their ferns, sensitive flowers, perennials and their robellini palms

Forecasters expect the feels like temperatures in Ocala will be in the lower 20s heading into Wednesday with even colder weather expected by Friday.

Tower Hill Nursery owner Ryan Mims is moving fast to protect plants due to the cold snaps.

“As soon as we hear about bad weather or cold snaps, we have to make sure everything is covered. So, it usually takes a day of preparation,” said Mims, who has been landscaping most of his life. 

He says several of the plants that will be covered include ferns, sensitive flowers, perennials and robellini palms.

Mims says he waters them a sufficient amount as well to keep them warm under the plastic.

As for the snow a bit further north, Mims had one thing to say.

“My thoughts about this snow is that I hope it stays away,” he said. “We are Florida, and we are known as the sunshine state. Turn around and go back.”