Just A Note

It snowed over night, and I woke up to the beauty of a world draped and trimmed in fluffy white. My son remarked how much warmer it felt with the snowfall, but we didn’t know why. Turns out Susan Reimer has done some homework on it:

Snow actually protects the garden from the cold, and especially from the drying effects of a cold wind. It is an excellent insulator. Snow increases the temperature at soil surface by about 2 degrees for every inch of accumulation, according to the Purdue University extension service.

As the snowflakes pile on top of one another, pockets of air are left between them and it is this air that provides the insulating effect.

Snow not only protects from the drying winds, but it brings needed moisture to plants that will continue to lose moisture through their branches, both evergreen and leafless. And, of course, melting snow feeds the soil, carrying nutrients and moisture.

She also highlighted one of Kylee‘s pictures, with exceptional winter garden color from red osier dogwood and a spiky Yucca filimentosa.

I don’t usually like yucca plants in Ohio- but I like Kylee’s. In my opinion, it is in how plants are used that creates the difference. I love her combination of dogwood with it.

The snow is already starting to melt- I wonder if that insulating effect of snowflakes also works as they are falling through the air?

I had fun following tracks around my yard when out taking some photos. I see that deer are visiting. Not sure I like that- as they can do so much damage.

I hope my husband fixes my greenhouse soon. The last windstorm blew out some pannels and they were damaged. We are waiting on replacements. I lost some plants I was storing in there.

Making Ice Wreaths

-from Susan “I had so many lovely comments on the ice wreath hung on the garden gate yesterday that I decided to let anyone who doesn’t already know in on how to make them. It is so easy and although I realize they don’t last forever if you live in a sub zero climate in the winter and don’t place it directly in the sunshine they can last for weeks or even months. Materials: round pans or bowls from the kitchen cupboard.

A bundt pan works really well if you have one, bowls, cranberries or other bright cheerful berries, ferns or other greens, ribbon or fabric strips for tying and water. Fill your chosen containers with water.

If you chose one without an inner circle then just place a bowl in the center weighing it down with a stone if you need to. Place some greens and berries around the circle. Most of them will float but it works best if you try to place the greens under the berries.

Place the water filled containers in a cold place to freeze. I left mine outside the kitchen door overnight and luckily the squirrels or raccoons didn’t eat all the berries. Bring them inside and place them for less than a minute in sink filled with warm water to loosen the ice.

Remove them from the containers and then loosen and remove the inner bowls if you used them. Place them outside quickly before they melt . Tie a ribbon or cloth strip on if you want to hang it on the garden gate or door. Remember to not place in direct sunlight.

If you don’t want to use right away you can store in the freezer but I would first place it in a freezer bag . Wasn’t that easy and look how beautiful and festive they look and all for the price of a bag of cranberries. The greens were free.”