Snow may come and go during the month of December, but except for the far north, it seldom stays throughout the month. Consequently, it cannot be depended upon to protect gardens, trees, and shrubs. Mulching with tree leaves or covering hay always is necessary for our area.
This protective mulch may not be necessary until December, especially if mild autumn extends through November or a snowstorm blankets the garden before mulches can be applied.
Then the gardener must wait for the melting of the snow and bare ground before putting on the blanket of leaves or hay.
It is better to wait until winter is here before covering beds. Covering plants too early when the weather continues mild can be harmful.
Devastating And Harmful Snow
Snow, too, can be damaging to some plants. For example, heavy snow on boughs of shrubs, trees, and evergreens can cause breakage or permanent bending.
Snow may be exciting and beautiful, but it also can be devastating.
Branches holding heavy deposits should be relieved of their burdens after the snowfall is over. However, this should be done carefully to avoid breaking branches.
Evergreen boughs are especially brittle in winter. Brush snow off carefully with the aid of a broom, or sweep it off by hand.
Never shake the plant vigorously.
Winter Protection On Low Spreading Evergreens
Ordinarily, snow deposited on low-spreading evergreens such as the Andorra, Savin, and Pfitzer junipers are not damaging.
In fact, it is desirable because of the winter protection provided.
Actually, plants can be buried without harm. It is when snow is only packed down on top of these plants, as when shoveled off a walk or driveway, that it is damaging.
The light, fluffy character of snow is lost, and it becomes an icy packing that is harmful when covering low evergreens.
There is still time to give evergreens winter-long protection by placing a six-inch layer of marsh hay under them. This soil protection is desirable to prevent deep penetration of excessive cold.
Protection Of Young Thin-Barked Trees In December
The trunks of young, thin-barked trees such as sugar and Norway maples, basswood, mountain ash, and apples should be protected from extremes of temperatures, sun, and mice sometime in December.
Local nurseries sell spiral tree wrap, specially made for protecting tree trunks.
The wrapping starts at the bottom and goes upward (overlapping to cover the bark to the first branches, where it is tied with a strong string. This wrapping must be removed in spring.
Some horticulturists object to using Christmas electric lights on newly planted evergreens because there might be an injury to the needles, especially if mild weather prevails during the holiday season.
Lights on established trees have not proven harmful.
Creating A Skating Rink
Home skating rinks are becoming more popular, especially where there are children.
Many parents hesitate to make a skating rink because they believe it will kill the grass.
However, the ice will not do permanent harm if the rink can be built where the water from melting ice can quickly drain away.
This is especially important to prevent extreme damage to the grassroots.
The grass where the rink was located should be fertilized as soon as possible in spring and re-seeded to replace plants injured or killed.
44659 by Robert A. Phillips