Garden Tip 38:  

SNOW IN THE GARDEN

The snowstorm this past week dropped about five inches of heavy wet snow on the garden and many ornamental trees and shrubs were laid flat or splayed open. The following day temperatures remained in the twenties and the snow was like cement. The best way to handle trees and shrubs in this situation is to simply walk away.

Plants are extremely brittle under these conditions and any attempt of snow and ice removal can cause cracking and breaking of branches. I have a yew hedge, azaleas, rhododendrons, arborvitaes, cedars and many other flowering trees and shrubs that have survived the ups and downs of thirty five winters without any help in snow removal. Take a break and let nature take care of it’s own!