Let it snow!

06 January 2010

In The Garden With the Fluvanna Master Gardeners
By Irene C. Burke - Fluvanna Master Gardener
Fluvanna County Extension Office: 434.591.1950

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blizzards have their benefits. Lets consider a few.

Soil Warmth

Welcome the early arrival of a thick blanket of snow. It insulates trees, plants, shrubs, bulbs, and groundcovers from the icy torture of alternate freezing and thawing, where fragile roots are torn and ripped, becoming vulnerable to arid winter air. Heaving earth also pushes perennials whether flower or vegetable out of their protective earthen layers. But the snow, the glorious snow warms the soil protecting it from deeper freezing and its damaging effects. If some areas need additional mulch you many apply it atop the snow. Holiday evergreens ready for disposal make perfect candidates. Turn them into the compost pile in the spring when clipping and shredding is easier.

Wind protection

Welcome the early arrival of a thick blanket of snow. It insulates trees, plants, shrubs, bulbs, and groundcovers from the icy torture of alternate freezing and thawing, where fragile roots are torn and ripped, becoming vulnerable to arid winter air. Heaving earth also pushes perennials whether flower or vegetable out of their protective earthen layers. But the snow, the glorious snow warms the soil protecting it from deeper freezing and its damaging effects. If some areas need additional mulch you many apply it atop the snow. Holiday evergreens ready for disposal make perfect candidates. Turn them into the compost pile in the spring when clipping and shredding is easier.

Moisture blanket

Slowly melting snow releases much needed moisture without the damage of winter downpours. Roots are not drowned and the earth is not washed away. Lighter-weight mulch is secured in place instead of washed down steep slopes. If you are worried that drought tolerant plants (herbs like lavender and rosemary) may be swimming in too much moisture, check their location and plan for a sunny transplant to the southwest side of the property, if they are not already there. When the snow pulls away, you pull away any organic mulch and replace with light-colored pebbles.

Browsing critters

Deer and voles may have raised the browse line with the added lift of a foot of snow. So renew all physical barriers and reapply chemical deterrents when temperatures rise above 35 degrees F.

Ice damage

Aside from the shoveling and brushing of snow from floppy branches, there are a few drawbacks to snow, especially when accompanied by ice. Check for deadwood before pruning away broken limbs, for deadwood can be pruned anytime. Unless they are a danger to you, leave the tattered and torn until spring leaf-out when pruning for shape and health makes sense.

Plan for snow

Peonies are the only plants that have traditionally been planted beside driveways and walkways in anticipation of mounding snow. Thickly layered organic mulch is discouraged, as it is an incubator of botrytis, the bane of peonies. The cool insulation snow provides, protects peonies from this nemesis.

Delicate shrubs now set below icy overhangs next to your house or shed should be transplanted, come spring. If that is not possible, redirect the impending avalanches with a frame and cover. Spare your roadside turf and plants the harsh effects of de-icing chemicals by first shoveling then spreading coarse sand, unused kitty litter, cinders or wood ashes.

Enjoy the benefits a snowstorm brings to your garden. It is ample preparation for Central Virginias mid-summer drought.

Tip of the Week

In a July 2009 report in "HortTechnology", scientists at Ohio State University reported that you damage African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) when you brush the leaves or flowers with your bare hand. If you must touch, wear latex or nitrile gloves, or poke and prod with a clean wooden chopstick or toothpick.