Snow Blanketed Perennial Beds
January 12, 2010 by JH
Filed under Jill's Thoughts, Price
Finally! After surviving the holiday fun and frenzy, a sinus infection, and more than 20″ of snow, things are just now getting back to normal! It seems like forever since I’ve written anything. It’s good to be back. 
Here in the Midwest it’s been very cold. Almost frigid, in fact. We didn’t break any records but I think some nights dipped as low as minus 9 or 10. Now that’s cold! Even Millie gets her business done in a hurry so she can get back inside where it’s warm!
We’ve had more snow already this year than we’ve had in the last 5-7 years. Last week we ended our streak of snow falling 14 out of the previous 16 days. We’re just not used to that much of the white stuff. A little here and there is alright but I’m definitely tired of shoveling the driveway! Look how high it’s piled up on my deck! We haven’t been able to open this door since the day after Christmas. Too much drifting snow.
Perennial bed with a blanket
But at least it’s a great protector for my perennials during these frigid temperatures. The snow is just like a warm blanket insulating the plants and roots. (OK, warm is a relative term!) I may still lose a few plants but the snow really does help during the extreme cold temps.
That’s all for now. Just wanted to say “hi”. I’m off to settle in with some hot chocolate and browse the new seed catalogs that just came in the mail. Pure winter time delight.
I also live in the Midwest and have 24″ of snow on the ground. Thankfully the temperatures are warming and some of the snow drifts (10′ high) are starting to settle. The snow does provide protection from cold winds and is a great insulator. When we put potted plants to sleep for the winter we lay them on their side cover them with straw and let Mother Nature provide the insulating blanket of snow. The other great aspect of snow is the moisture that will slowly seeping into your perennial beds as spring arrives.
So while I concur that all this snow provides benefits for our perennials I must admit that as I get older I just don’t like winter as much as I used to. Just takes a little more patience on my part when shoveling all the snow we received this winter so far.