Learn how to remedy these common cases of winter damage
While many in the Mountain West are used to their gardens being buried under groundwork of snow throughout wintertime , others of us are more accustomed to a storm that drops a few inches of the powdery blanched stuff , which then melt off in a couple of day . The winter of 2019–2020 has been anything but typical on the front range of Colorado so far . We have a foundation and a half of wet , heavy snow just before Thanksgiving that freeze into a thick blanket of ice over subsequent sidereal day . Over the showtime of this year , our landscapes have become a patchwork of snow and ice fields in north - veneer or shady place and in areas of our usually dry , exposed landscapes . As the snow proceed to recede , what should you be on the lookout for in your garden ?
Damage from wind and snowdrifts
Gale - force wind have tip a few trees and disordered branches in several locations . It ’s a good melodic theme to survey your landscape to see if there is any serious damage . Prune back any damage now while the trees are dormant . In some cases , drifting or shoveling of snow onto miserable arm of shrubs can cause breakage or flattening to the ground . You may not know for several weeks after fade if such branches will spring back to their original shape , so you may settle to crop them back as well .
Damage from critters
Speaking of pruning , rabbits have been running around on top of the snow and ice , strive areas they ca n’t usually access . If you notice oddment from their “ pruning ” of your bushes , you may need to do some formation to correct the wrong . Additionally , if you see tunnels in section of your lawn , it ’s very likely you had voles feasting on grass under the covert of nose candy . skim the area clear and letting the healthy skunk fill in is your best stake . You may also piece with seed . What to do about the vole themselves is another question . Rather that treat them with pesticide , I favour to slay the habitat they fuck to live in . Low - acquire junipers ( Juniperusspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–10 ) are a favorite . Take note : if you have vole tracks in your lawn , voles may have also eaten some of your woody industrial plant at their base .
Damage to the lawn
While it does n’t happen appear in our usually dry mood , snow mold may develop in late wintertime or early spring as the snowfall melts from your lawn . If you notice R-2 of matted down straw - colored supergrass , you may have snow mold . There are two type : gray and pink , each showing its respective color on closer inspection . grayish snow mold only regard the leaf blade of the supergrass , but pinkish snowfall modeling can damage the crowns and ancestor of the plant . Again , raking up the sphere is the good remedy , which allow the weed to dry out out and give level-headed pot a chance to fulfil in . If it does n’t fulfil in , you may choose to spot seed .
Should you winter water?
ordinarily , we are discussing the penury to wintertime water your trees , bush , and perennials at this time of year . We have n’t had significant moisture in several hebdomad , so check the soil wet in areas that do not have snow covering . If they ’re dry , give your plants a good soaking on the next warm day .
For more information on repair winter equipment casualty , watch out this article .
— Michelle Provaznik is executive director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .
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Branches that have cracked under the weight of snow may be only one of several challenges you’ll face as winter recedes.Photo: Michelle Gervais
You may not know until all the snow melts whether or not large piles of snow cracked the branches of shrubs. These cracked branches should be pruned off while the shrubs are still dormant.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
Low-growing junipers like ‘Grey Owl’ (Juniperus virginiana‘Grey Owl’, Zones 2–9) may be a habitat for voles.Photo: Kristin Green
The gray snow mold pictured here is not as damaging to lawns as pink snow mold, but it should still be raked out.Photo: Bob Mugaas, University of Minnesota
Some sections of the garden may have gone uncovered for several weeks and could use a watering.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
