After the Snow fall: Yard & Plant Maintenance
Now that there is a break in the pounding levied on many areas in the East last week, gardeners can now think about what they need to do now to save or protect plants, trees, and shrubs from any damage from the storm.
Here are some tips for protection from snow and ice that may still be present in your yard:
* For trees with broken or damaged branches: use a good handsaw for larger trees and thicker branches to make clean cuts on branches that may be damaged or broken in order to facilitate healing and re-growth and to minimize disease.
* For small plants and shrubs, remove snow from plants that are holding a large amount of snow to lessen the possibility that when the snow becomes compacted and ice-hard that it will place pressure on the branches and possibly may cause them to snap and break.
* Minimize any use of salt in the garden as salt may damage or even poison plants and can degrade soil structure. Nonsaline products are available at home and garden centers. As an alternative for sidewalks and driveways use sand in these areas which provides good traction over the snow.
Remember to dress warm and drink lots of water while outside in the cold. Thanks to the Philadelphia Inquirer for many of the gardening tips above.
