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January 15, 2003

Anticipation...
It is 8:30 PM Wednesday and as I sit here typing I am watching out the window diligently waiting for the big storm to move in.  How much snow are we going to receive?  That seems to be the big question.  Some meteorologists say 3-5 inches, others say 6-10.  Either way it sounds as if we might get lucky and get some type of accumulation.  At this point, I will take anything that comes our way, preferably nice and wet.  

I joined many others this afternoon at the grocery store stocking up on necessities.  Funny how there is such a sense of urgency about being prepared.  Hopefully we will not be disappointed as in times past.  I know three children who are just dying for an opportunity to miss school for a day or two.  I must say that I am with them in the sense that a little bit of snow will make it feel more like winter.  This winter has been like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  

It sounds as if we are going to be getting some bitter cold temperatures along with this system so bundle up and stay warm.  This might be a good time to cuddle up with a few good gardening catalogs!  Let it snow, Let it snow , Let it snow!

~ Shelly  

White Water...
Considering how dry it's been this winter (over 60 days without precipitation!) the snow on the ground is sure welcome.  Don't get complacent however.  It generally takes 8 -10 inches of snow to equal just one-inch of rain.  You can maximize this snow's irrigating effects with a little extra work.  When you're shoveling the walks and driveway simply transfer that snow to your garden beds.  As it melts your gardens will benefit from the extra moisture.

It's Called A Blanket Of Snow After All...
In addition to its moisture content that snow brings some other benefits to your gardens.  Fluffy and light, freshly fallen snow is an excellent insulator.  Its millions of tiny air pockets hold warmth in the soil around snow-covered plants.  So when the air temperature falls into the single digits tomorrow your white-blanketed garden beds will remain a relatively toasty 32º.  That added protection may be the difference between death and survival for plants of borderline hardiness.

A Heavy Load...
Certain evergreen shrubs, such as yew, juniper and arborvitae (northern white cedar) have a tendency to accumulate snow during snowfalls.  The weight of the snow bends the branches of the shrubs, and can cause breakage or kinking.  It is a good idea to remove most of the snow on these shrubs to reduce such damage.  Do not, however, beat the shrubs with a snow shovel or other implement.  Doing so will only cause additional damage.  Use a broom or a brush and as gently as possible remove the snow from the upper surfaces.  Don’t be alarmed if the shrub does not immediately rebound to its former shape.  It is likely that in the spring, when sap is flowing through the shrub, it will recover from any bending that may have occurred.  

Source

 

 

Don't Forget The Birds!
It's hard enough for our feathered friends to find food in the winter months.  A blanket of snow makes it especially difficult.  Keep your feeders full and you will be rewarded with beautiful garden visitors year round.  If you're interested in attracting specific birds here are some popular birds and their favorite menu items:

Bird Type Favorite Foods
American Goldfinch Niger thistle seeds, broken sunflower hearts, oil-type sunflower seeds.
Northern Cardinal Sunflower seeds of all types, safflower, cracked corn, millet, other seeds, unsalted nutmeats, raisins.
Black-capped Chickadee Oil-type sunflower seeds, cracked unsalted nutmeats, safflower, suet.
Dark-eyed Junco Red or white proso millet, finely cracked corn, oil-type sunflower seed, unsalted nutmeats.
Grosbeaks Sunflower seeds of all types, safflower, cracked corn.
Mourning Dove Oil-type sunflower seeds, white and red proso millet, safflower, cracked corn, wheat, milo, other seeds.
Native Sparrows Red or white proso millet, oil-type sunflower seeds, cracked corn, some safflower.
Woodpeckers Suet, unsalted nutmeats, sunflower seeds, cracked corn.

Source

 


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Snow and Ice Removal...
So, how long before this snow turns into something a little less desirable, like ice?  Well, with Thursday's low temperature expected to drop below 10º we expect ice to be a problem pretty quickly.  This will have many Savvygardeners trying to de-ice their walks and driveways.  But what to use?  There are a number of chemicals that will help melt the ice but they have very different properties.  To reduce damage to lawns, plants, and sub-soil root systems try to use as little as possible - just enough to break the bond between ice and walkway or driveway surface.  Here are the most common de-icing agents available:

  • Calcium chloride (CaCl) is available in flake, pellet, or liquid form and often outperforms other deicing products especially at lower temperatures.  Harmful to plants.
  • Sodium chloride (NaCl) also known as rock salt was first used as a deicer in the 1940's.  Loses most of its de-icing effectiveness when temperatures are below 25º.  Harmful to plants.
  • Potassium chloride (KCl) is a naturally-occurring material that is also used as a fertilizer.  Because of its high salt index and the potential to burn foliage and inhibit rooting, its use is relatively limited.  Less harmful to plants than sodium chloride or calcium chloride.
  • Urea (NH2CO NH2) is synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide.  It is primarily used as a fertilizer.  As a de-icer, it has a lower burn potential than potassium chloride. 
  • Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is a relatively new salt-free melting agent made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid.  It causes little damage to concrete or plants and is used as an alternative to salts in environmentally sensitive areas.  May not be available in retail stores.

Finally...
"I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines."

~ Henry David Thoreau

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