Snow does have its benefits when it comes to landscaping—it is a great insulator. Without snow cover, the frigid temperatures will freeze the ground and can damage the root systems of trees and shrubs.
The snow also helps protect the foliage from the hard-drying winds of winter. Think how your skin dries out in the winter. The same happens to plants.
Taylor’s Encyclopedia of Gardening calls snow “the poor man’s fertilizer.” As it falls through the atmosphere, nitrogen and sulfur attach to the flakes. When it melts, these elements are absorbed by soil and plants. As we learned in chemistry, nitrogen is essential to plant growth.
Snow also helps preserve moisture in the soil during winter and provides a natural watering in the spring when it melts. It has been said that roses flower better, and apples and pear trees produce more flowers and fruit, after a hard winter. Keep in mind with heavy snows, thawing and refreezing can leave ice to build-up on the branches. If the trees and shrubs have weak or new branches it can cause them to split and/or break. Keep an eye on you trees and shrubs. Carefully knock off some of the build-up if accessible.
Snow offers a break from gardening, so sit cozy under that warm blanket sipping your hot chocolate, and think about what new excitement summer and spring will bring!
Call our office for help with your spring ideas! 614.873.7333