Snow cover can protect garden plants through spring

Snow acts as an insulating layer that stabilizes soil temperatures and delivers slow spring moisture, and deep, clean snow can also reduce winter stress and limit some pests. Heavy snow loads remain a risk to branches, and the article notes proactive tree and shrub care as a way to reduce structural damage.

Recent heavy snow and Arctic temperatures have raised questions about how gardens endure winter. The article explains that snow cover provides stable conditions for dormant plants and that proactive care for trees and shrubs can reduce damage from heavy snow loads. It also contrasts winters with deep snow and cold to milder, snow-poor winters that allowed more winter injury and pest survival. The piece combines observations about snow's physical properties with practical approaches to reduce structural failures in woody plants. What we know: - Snow traps air and acts as an insulating layer; roughly six inches or more begins to stabilize soil layers and protect crowns and surface roots from freeze–thaw swings. - Light, loosely packed snow provides better insulation, and melting snow delivers slow, deep moisture in spring while also depositing small amounts of atmospheric nitrogen. - Winters can be dry for plants; with frozen soil, evergreens and exposed stems may lose water and suffer winter burn, as noted after drought in fall 2024 and a mostly snowless winter of 2025. - Deep snow and very cold temperatures reduce survival of some pests and pathogens, while milder winters can allow more insects and diseases to persist. - Heavy snow loads and wind can cause unpredictable branch failure; audible groaning or popping from trees indicates potential danger and the article stresses keeping distance in such moments. - The article reports that annual inspections by licensed arborists and structural approaches — including cabling, canopy reduction, retrenchment pruning for trees, and structural pruning or removing snow from shrubs — are recommended to improve resilience. Summary: Snow cover generally moderates temperature swings, protects roots and crowns, and supplies steady moisture at melt, which can lessen some winter stresses and limit certain pests. The article reports that structural care for trees and shrubs, including professional inspection and pruning approaches, is presented as a way to reduce failure risk under heavy snow; specific next steps are described in the article as recommended practices.