Snowfall transforms a garden, bringing both advantages and challenges for plants. Understanding its interaction with the garden environment is important for maintaining plant health through colder months. Snow actively influences soil conditions and plant well-being.
The Unexpected Benefits of Snow for Gardens
Snow provides a natural insulating layer for plants and soil. Composed mostly of trapped air, snow acts like a thermal blanket, protecting plant roots and bulbs from extreme cold and sudden temperature fluctuations. This insulation helps maintain a stable soil temperature, reducing frost damage and preventing freeze-thaw cycles that can heave plants out of the ground, exposing roots to cold.
Beyond insulation, snow contributes to soil moisture and fertility. As snow melts slowly, it delivers a gradual, consistent water supply that penetrates deeply into the soil, replenishing moisture. Snowflakes also capture trace amounts of nitrogen from the atmosphere, depositing this nutrient into the soil upon melting, acting as a natural fertilizer. Harsh winter temperatures, amplified by snow cover, can help reduce populations of overwintering pests and suppress fungal spores, contributing to a healthier garden in spring.
Protecting Your Plants from Snow Damage
Preparing your garden for anticipated snowfall minimizes potential harm. Gently remove heavy snow from branches of trees and shrubs using a soft broom or your hand, sweeping upwards to avoid breakage. This prevents the weight of snow from bending or snapping branches. For delicate or less hardy plants, cover them with materials like burlap, frost cloth, or old bed sheets to provide a protective shield against heavy snow and cold winds. Ensure these covers are secured but not too tight, allowing for air circulation.
Tie up narrow, upright evergreens with multiple leaders using rope or cloth before snowfall to prevent splaying or breaking under heavy snow loads. This helps maintain their natural form and structural integrity. Avoiding walking on snow-covered lawns or garden beds is important, as grass blades can break, and compacted snow can lead to fungal diseases or soil compaction, hindering spring growth. Relocating container plants to sheltered areas, such as a porch or shed, prevents the soil from freezing and expanding, which could crack the containers.
Common Types of Snow Damage to Plants
Snow can cause various forms of damage to garden plants, primarily due to its weight and cold. Heavy, wet snow leads to broken branches and flattened shrubs, particularly affecting evergreens and multi-stemmed plants. This weight can also bend branches to the ground, potentially disrupting nutrient flow within the plant.
Another common issue is desiccation, often referred to as winter burn, which occurs when cold, dry winds extract moisture from plant foliage while the ground is frozen, preventing roots from absorbing water. Ice formation on branches can make them brittle and prone to breakage, and prolonged ice layers can suffocate plants by blocking airflow. Rapid thawing and refreezing cycles can cause soil heaving, pushing plants out of the ground, exposing their roots to cold and increasing the risk of damage or death.
Garden Care After a Snowfall
After a snowfall, gently brush off snow from branches and leaves using a broom or your hand, sweeping upwards to avoid snapping brittle limbs. If ice has formed, allow it to melt naturally, as attempting to remove it can cause more damage to the branches. Once snow melts, inspect plants for any broken or damaged branches.
Prune away damaged sections using clean, sharp tools to encourage healthy regrowth and prevent diseases or pests from entering the plant through open wounds. For young trees that have fallen over, covering exposed roots can protect them from drying out or freezing. Check soil moisture levels after the snowmelt, as plants may still require watering if the ground is not thoroughly hydrated, especially newly planted trees and shrubs. Avoid fertilizing after a freeze, as this can stimulate new growth susceptible to further cold damage.