The icy remains of January’s snow storm continue to cover the ground at Madison Square Park as we enter into February. For plants, winter is a time to slow down their metabolism and enter a state of dormancy before bouncing back in the spring. Different levels of light and the number of days of cold temperatures actually signal plants that enough time has passed for spring to arrive. Without these factors, many plants in our climate would never bloom. Snow can be an integral part of this process of reduced activity, which keeps plants happy and healthy, but it also has the potential to be damaging. 

There are a few main ways in which snow plays an integral part in benefitting plants in the garden. Firstly, snow acts as a natural mulch and is a surprisingly good temperature regulator. When snowfall covers the ground it protects plant roots from potentially harmful changes in temperature. By retaining a steady ground temperature, snow facilitates this important period of reduced activity for plants. This is particularly important during extended freezing temperatures like the ones New York has experienced over the past few weeks.

Secondly, snow contains an excess of nitrogen in its chemical makeup. When snow melts in the late winter and spring it releases this nitrogen into the soil which acts as a natural source of fertilizer. This extra fertilizer has the potential to give plants a boost in growth and productivity as the weather continues to warm throughout the spring. 

Unfortunately, the interaction of snow and plants is not all positive. The buildup of heavy snow and ice on the branches of trees and shrubs can create enough weight to break branches. Split branches in trees and shrubs may lead to disease or ruin its structure. If these issues are not properly addressed they have the potential to worsen in that particular tree or shrub. 

However, many deciduous trees have adaptations to prevent this from happening. Most mature plants will drop their leaves in the fall which stops snow buildup on its branches and reduces the amount of leaf surface area which can add damaging weight during ice storms. Winter storms with strong winds can pelt trees and shrubs with snow and ice which may lead to abrasions on branches which can also lead to disease. Sometimes the most damage comes from the human element. Visitors to the park looking to make snowmen can be incredibly impactful on our gardens. We hope that if you do choose to come to the park to enjoy the snow that you bring your own snowman materials and please stick to the gravel areas where you won’t trample delicate plants hidden below.

The horticulture team works throughout the winter: pruning our trees, keeping the gardens neat, and ensuring the pathways are accessible. As you summit a trash-filled snow pile on your morning commute, keep in mind that snowfall does have some silver linings. Spend this winter like a plant by resting and recuperating before you bounce back to life in the spring!