January 16th

By Mutt Mulligan

Tips to protect plants during ice and snow removal

Snow and ice removal go hand-in-hand with winter weather. Often homeowners are most concerned about removing the snow and ice quickly. But don’t forget to take a few minutes to prep and protect your plants prior first.

How you shovel can impact the health of your plants and trees.

Here are a few important reminders from our partner PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, which is the national trade association of landscape professionals.

• Mark your plants. Place reflective markers next to plants so they are easy to see. That way snow won’t be shoveled on top of the plants inadvertently. Also, consider clearing away from walks and driveways to reduce the amount of deicing products needed on hard surfaces.
• Remove broken limbs ASAP. As soon as the weather permits remove broken branches to allow the plant or tree to heal better as temperatures warm up.
• Never shake branches. Gently brush snow off limbs rather than shaking them, as they might break. Use your hands to scoop the snow away from plant roots to protect them from settling snow.
• Minimize salt damage. Salt helps melt ice off hard surfaces, but it can damage plants by drawing water away from the roots. Remove excess salt by flushing the soil with plenty of water.