Snow acts as an insulator for your plants, protecting the roots and branches from frigid temperatures. But when your snow blower or snowplow tosses excess ice, sleet and de-icing products onto the garden and grass, disaster can strike. Do you know the dangers of using snow blowers and have you prepped your gardens for protection?

What Happens to Plants Under the Snow?

Your flowers, shrubs and bushes like a good snowfall. The white stuff covers them like a blanket, offering a barrier against winds, freezing temperatures and ice. But when that blanket is thrown with force and consists of heavy layers of sleet, the experience is not as pleasant.

The snow removed from your walkways and driveway has a greater density and weight when it hits the garden and grass. That weight can easily break off branches and stems, needlessly damaging your plants. Bushes and shrubs are especially vulnerable if they’ve been exposed to temperatures below zero and are semi or completely frozen already.

How To Avoid Damaging the Gardens 

Pay attention to where your snow blower tosses that white stuff. Try to maintain fairly even coverage on your gardens, remembering that the tossed snow is full of slush and salt (or any other de-icing product used).

You can cover the grass with a thicker layer; most grass species can take the abuse. But keep an eye on your trees and aim away from smaller, newer plantings that are still getting their bearings on your property.

It helps to consider this problem when designing your flowerbeds. You’ll want to have plantings bordering pathways and flowers are an easy way to dress up the drive. But be sure that you’re planting hardy specimens that produce strong branches. 

Place the tender and fragile flowers and shrubs out of the snow blower’s reach and you’re less likely to incur damage after clearing the snow away.