A naked
landscape during December in Southeastern Wisconsin seemed wrong…
where was our
SNOW???
The entire month of December
2023 passed without a snowfall in our area, which is quite rare. This trend continued into the first week of
January, causing those who wanted to ice skate, snowshoe or snowmobile some sad
days.
As we approached the second week
of January, weather forecasts warned of a massive cold front with snow, which
would affect several states simultaneously.
This forecast caused sadness for some, BUT smiles and anticipation for
the snow aficionados in our state!
Winter
week in Wisconsin is here!
An entire
month’s worth of ice, snow and sub-zero temps occurred the second week of
January. Some areas (like our backyard…) received 12
to 18 inches of snow within a few days, accompanied by fierce winds.
With sub-zero temps each night, this snow
will likely remain with us for some time… our landscape no longer appears naked
and is fully clothed in a thick blanket of ice and snow.
Dense snow
cover can be beneficial to all our dormant perennials, shrubs and trees.
While an ICE GLAZE isn’t great for plants,
SNOW can insulate the soil and maintain a cold, frozen state for those root
systems underground.
Freezing temps
often are NOT the cause of Zone 4 or 5 plants dying, but freeze-thaw cycles can
be extremely harmful!
***An ice
coating can be especially harmful to conifers mainly if humans try to intervene! One of my horticulture instructors
reminded us NEVER to knock off icicles from branch tips of our pines and
spruces.
The branches may struggle
under the weight of the snow load, but if ice has formed beneath the snow, more
damage can be caused by human intervention.
Thankfully,
this massive storm front was followed by a high-pressure system which provided
blue skies with sunshine to sparkle the fresh snow. The air was crisp and fresh each day, and
those who care to brave the cold could enjoy being outdoors.
People who
prefer being indoors can start perusing seed catalogs and begin planning for
springtime planting.
Indoor enthusiasts
can also enjoy watching birds frolicking at their feeders. (Just a reminder, if you choose to put
feeders in your yard, you must keep them clean and filled! Not a huge task to perform, but a vital
service to those hungry finches and woodpeckers who visit each day…)
Allow me to
share my favorite Albert Einstein quote to end today’s blog:
“Snowflakes are the fairy dust of
winter.”
M. Lynn
Schmid, Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture