Garden Recovery After Heavy Snow Loads

There is a debate in the garden world about the best time of year to cut back the spent foliage of herbaceous perennials and grasses. If a gardener is hoping to be sustainable, and benefit pollinators via their gardening practices, leaving debris until the spring is the best option. Spent foliage provides shelter for overwintering insects and their larva as well as seeds for birds. Plus, standing perennials provide winter interest – something beautiful to focus on in the colder months, such as dried flower stalks and attractive textures. Lastly, leaving debris in the garden provides insulation to the crowns of sensitive plants. 

However, those who garden in Colorado know that sometimes adjustments must be made due to unpredictable weather. A particularly heavy, wet snow may flatten perennials that were still standing through the colder months. If this is the case, knock hefty loads off trees and shrubs to alleviate stress and prevent breakage to limbs. And keep an eye out for any broken branches in small and large trees near and around the garden. These “hangers” can be dangerous and will require intervention from tree-care professionals.

It may be tempting to get the shears out and clear cut once the snow melts. However, there may be many weeks left of wintery weather to come, and many pollinators will still require shelter. While not always the case, some plants that may seem completely smothered under the snow can rebound once it melts; just give them some time. 

If broken stalks and smushed plants aren’t a concern, feel free to leave them be. This won’t hurt the plant; it simply has to do with aesthetics. Head out into the garden once the snow melts to do some repairs if you like but delay any heavy garden work until soil is dry to avoid compacting the soil. As for the herbaceous material on the ground, use pruners to cut broken stalks at the base of the plant and leave those that are still standing alone. Sometimes just a few cuts can be made to recreate a tidier appearance.

Heavy snow isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the garden. A lot of moisture and precipitation comes from those big spring snows, and plants receive a much-needed drink as it melts. And it sure is pretty. Certainly, some plants may appear damaged, but in reality, herbaceous perennials start over with fresh stalks in the growing season, so don’t fret. Unless shoveling snow from sidewalks is on the agenda...then maybe some fretting is appropriate.