How Garden Centers can send automated frost alert campaigns in Klaviyo

When frost threatens, gardeners panic - and garden centers have a critical window to help customers protect their plants while driving sales of frost protection products. With Weather for Email's temperature data, garden centers can automatically alert customers to frost risks and provide immediate solutions before it's too late.

This guide shows you how to create automated frost alert campaigns that save your customers' plants while positioning your garden center as the trusted expert they turn to in plant emergencies.

The Frost Alert Emergency Window

Frost damage occurs rapidly, often overnight, and prevention is the only solution. Once frost hits, plants are damaged or dead - there's no recovery product to sell. This creates a unique marketing opportunity where urgency meets genuine customer service.

Useful Profile Properties from Weather for Email for Frost alerts:

  • wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c - The minimum temperature forecast for the next 3 days
  • wfe_current_weather_temp_c - Current temperature conditions
  • wfe_temperature_trend - Whether temperatures are dropping ("Colder" or "Much_Colder")

In addition, you can also have triggered events "Upcoming Weather Change" sent to your Klaviyo account, so you can automatically trigger these alerts.

Frost Risk Levels:

  • Light Frost: 0°C to -2°C (32°F to 28°F) - Tender plants at risk
  • Moderate Frost: -2°C to -4°C (28°F to 25°F) - Most garden plants need protection
  • Hard Frost: -4°C and below (25°F and below) - All outdoor plants at severe risk

Setting Up Frost Alert Flows

Light Frost Warning Flow

Create Emergency Flow in Klaviyo:

  1. Go to Flows → Create Flow → Create From Scratch
  2. Select "Upcoming Weather Change" trigger

Configure Frost Trigger Filters:

  • forecast_min_temperature_c is less than 1°C (Light frost threshold)
  • temperature_trend is "Colder" or "Much_Colder"
  • Optional: current_weather_condition does not contain "Snow" (snow can actually insulate plants)

Profile Filters:

  • Has not been in this flow in the last 5 days (to avoid sending too many alerts)

Flow Timing:

The Weather for Email integration updates the weather profile properties and events in your account every 24hrs, and uses the next 72 hours as the forecast window so bear this in mind:

  • You could send an alert 24-48 hours before predicted frost.
  • Then include a second follow up email 6-12 hours before for last-minute preparations
Sample frost alert flow

Sample frost alert flow

Hard Frost Emergency Flow

For severe frost conditions requiring maximum urgency:

Trigger Filters:

  • forecast_min_temperature_c is less than -3°C
  • temperature_trend is "Much_Colder"

Profile Filters:

  • Has not been in this flow in the last 5 days (to avoid sending too many alerts)

Multi-Channel Approach:

  • Email for detailed instructions
  • SMS for immediate alerts (if available)
  • Push notifications through mobile app (if available)

Creating Frost Risk Customer Segments

You can also make use of the profile properties which are synced to your Klaviyo account every 24hrs to build segments for targeted frost campaigns and emergency communications.

Frost Risk Segment (Active Gardeners)

Segment Configuration:

  1. Lists & Segments → Create Segment
  2. Conditions:
  • wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c is less than 2°C
  • Has purchased from categories: Plants, Seeds, Garden Supplies (last 6 months)
Sample Active Gardener Frost Risk Segment

Sample Active Gardener Frost Risk Segment


New Plant Owners (High Risk)

Target recent plant purchasers:

  • Purchased "Tender Plants," "Seedlings," or "New Plantings" in last 60 days
  • wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c is less than 1°C

Experienced Gardeners Segment

For educational content and premium products:

  • Multiple plant purchases over 2+ years
  • Previous frost protection product purchases
  • wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c is less than -2°C

Frost Alert Email Campaign Strategies

Light Frost Alert (0°C to -2°C)

Subject Line: "FROST ALERT: {{person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C forecast - protect your plants tonight!"

Message Focus:

  • Immediate action required
  • Specific protection methods
  • Product availability and urgency
  • Next-day recovery tips

Email Content:

<h2>🚨 FROST WARNING: {{person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C Tonight!</h2>

<div style="background: #fffbf0; border-left: 4px solid #ff6b35; padding: 15px; margin: 20px 0;">
    <h3>⏰ IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED</h3>
    <p><strong>Frost expected tonight with temperatures dropping to {{person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C.</strong></p>
    <p>You have until sunset to protect your plants!</p>
</div>

<h3>PRIORITY PROTECTION (Act Now!):</h3>
<ul>
    <li><strong>Tender plants & seedlings</strong> - Bring indoors immediately</li>
    <li><strong>Potted plants</strong> - Move to garage or covered area</li>
    <li><strong>Garden beds</strong> - Cover with frost cloth or sheets</li>
    <li><strong>New plantings</strong> - Need extra protection (most vulnerable)</li>
</ul>

<h3>Emergency Supplies Available:</h3>
<!-- Product recommendations for frost protection -->

Product Recommendations:

  • Frost cloths and plant covers
  • Portable plant heaters
  • Emergency plant containers (for quick transplanting)
  • Plant warming cables
  • Frost protection spray

Hard Frost Emergency (-3°C and below)

Subject Line: "🚨 HARD FROST EMERGENCY: {{person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C - SAVE YOUR PLANTS NOW!"

Message Focus:

  • Maximum urgency and drama
  • Comprehensive protection protocols
  • Extended forecast information
  • Professional advice positioning

Email Content:

<div style="background: #d32f2f; color: white; padding: 20px; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
    <h2>🚨 HARD FROST EMERGENCY 🚨</h2>
    <h3>{{person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C Forecast</h3>
    <p><strong>SEVERE PLANT DAMAGE LIKELY - IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED</strong></p>
</div>

<h3>SAVE YOUR PLANTS - EMERGENCY PROTOCOL:</h3>

<div style="background: #fff3e0; padding: 15px; margin: 15px 0; border-radius: 8px;">
    <h4>🔥 PRIORITY 1: Bring Indoors (Next 2 Hours)</h4>
    <ul>
        <li>All tender plants and tropical varieties</li>
        <li>Recently planted seedlings and transplants</li>
        <li>Potted plants (easier to move)</li>
        <li>Herbs and vegetables still producing</li>
    </ul>
</div>

<div style="background: #f3e5f5; padding: 15px; margin: 15px 0; border-radius: 8px;">
    <h4>🛡️ PRIORITY 2: Heavy Protection (Before Sunset)</h4>
    <ul>
        <li>Cover established plants with multiple layers</li>
        <li>Use frost cloth + plastic sheets for extreme cold</li>
        <li>Add heat sources (plant heaters, water jugs)</li>
        <li>Mulch heavily around plant bases</li>
    </ul>
</div>

<h3>Professional Frost Protection Kit - IN STOCK NOW:</h3>
<!-- Emergency product bundle recommendations -->

Advanced Frost Alert Strategies

Multi-Day Frost Events

Extended Cold Snap Flow: When wfe_temperature_trend is "Much_Colder" and multiple days show frost risk:

<h3>Extended Freeze Warning: {{person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C for Next 3 Days</h3>

<p>This isn't a single frost night - we're looking at sustained freezing temperatures. 
Your plants need <strong>long-term protection strategy</strong>, not just overnight covers.</p>

<h4>Multi-Day Protection Plan:</h4>
<ul>
    <li><strong>Day 1:</strong> Emergency protection (covers, moving plants)</li>
    <li><strong>Day 2-3:</strong> Sustained protection (heaters, insulation)</li>
    <li><strong>Recovery:</strong> Gradual exposure and damage assessment</li>
</ul>

Product Focus:

  • Extended-use frost protection systems
  • Plant heaters and warming cables
  • Insulated plant covers
  • Temporary greenhouse solutions

Geographic Frost Variations

Microclimate Education:

<h3>Know Your Garden's Frost Risk Zones</h3>

{% if person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c <= -2 %}
<p>With {{person.wfe_forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C forecast, different areas of your garden face different risks:</p>

<ul>
    <li><strong>Highest Risk:</strong> Open areas, low spots, north-facing slopes</li>
    <li><strong>Moderate Risk:</strong> Near buildings, fenced areas</li>
    <li><strong>Lower Risk:</strong> Under trees, south-facing protected areas</li>
</ul>

<p>Focus your protection efforts on the highest risk areas first!</p>
{% endif %}

Seasonal Frost Timing

Early Fall Frost (First Frost of Season):

  • Customers unprepared and plants not hardened
  • Focus on education and comprehensive protection
  • Emphasize seasonal transition

Spring Frost (After Warm Period):

  • Most dangerous for tender new growth
  • Higher urgency due to active growing season
  • Focus on protecting new plantings and vegetables

Late Winter Frost:

  • Plants beginning to emerge from dormancy
  • Damage to early bloomers (fruit trees, bulbs)
  • Focus on protecting emerging growth

Customer Education and Value-Added Content

Frost Protection Guide Series

Educational Email Series (Sent Before Frost Season):

  1. "Frost 101: Understanding When Your Plants Are at Risk"
  • Frost vs. freeze differences
  • Which plants are most vulnerable
  • Reading weather forecasts for frost risk
  1. "DIY Frost Protection: What Works (And What Doesn't)"
  • Household items for plant protection
  • Common frost protection mistakes
  • When to invest in professional solutions
  1. "Preparing Your Garden for Frost Season"
  • Hardening plants for cold weather
  • Seasonal plant care adjustments
  • Building permanent frost protection

Post-Frost Follow-Up Campaigns

Damage Assessment Email (2-3 Days After Frost)

Subject: "Post-Frost Garden Check: Assessing and Recovering from {{event.forecast_min_temperature_c}}°C"

Content Focus:

  • How to assess frost damage
  • What can be saved vs. what needs replacing
  • Recovery and replacement product recommendations
  • Prevention for next frost event

Recovery and Replacement Campaign

Trigger: 5-7 days after frost event

Focus:

  • Replacement plants for damaged varieties
  • Recovery fertilizers and treatments
  • Improved frost protection for next time
  • Seasonal transition planning