Heavy Snow, Healthy Land: Winter Protection Tips

This winter, Northern Virginia experienced a frosty blast from the past, as snow and ice returned after years of little to no accumulation. If your plants didn’t survive the first very deep freeze, we can help you prepare for the next one. These tips are helpful for any gardener or landowner looking to ensure their plants make it through winter each year—no matter what the climate brings! 

1. Plant Natives 

This will always be our first suggestion! Native plants are adapted to the conditions in Virginia and are naturally prepared for the changing seasons. Rather than being forced to drop leaves due to sudden cold weather, native species follow their normal seasonal cycles—shedding leaves and going dormant in ways that protect them from winter damage. Their blooming seasons also align with spring conditions. However, with new weather extremes driven by climate change, even native trees benefit from a little extra care. Below are several ways you can help the natural landscapes on your property thrive through winter. 

2. Tree Maintenance 

Keeping your trees healthy year-round pays off during winter storms. Regular pruning helps prevent dead or weakened branches from freezing and falling, potentially damaging property or leaving trees vulnerable to pests and disease. Proper storm preparation and tree resiliency practices are outlined by the Virginia Department of Forestry (Virginia Department of Forestry, n.d.). Proactive care strengthens trees and reduces the risk of storm-related damage. 

3. Mulching 

Winterizing your garden includes adding plenty of mulch around your plants. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and provides insulation against cold temperatures. A protective layer of mulch can moderate soil temperature fluctuations and protect plant roots from freezing conditions (Carolina Native Nursery, n.d.). 

4. Hydration 

It may seem counterintuitive, but plants—especially evergreens and newly planted natives—can become dehydrated during the winter months. One way to prevent this is to water thoroughly before a major freeze or snowstorm. While it may feel like overwatering, ensuring that plants are well-hydrated before the ground freezes helps them withstand cold, dry conditions (Carolina Native Nursery, n.d.). 

5. Leave it Be 

Consider leaving some natural debris from the fall, such as fallen leaves and small branches. When shredded, leaves make excellent mulch and provide valuable habitat for overwintering pollinators and other beneficial organisms. Allowing natural materials to remain in your landscape supports soil health and biodiversity. 

For more tips on utilizing fall foliage to nourish your garden, lawn, and crops, visit Northern Virginia Conservation Trust’s blog: Leaf It Alone: How to Utilize Fall Foliage to Nourish Your Gardens, Lawn, and Crops  

6. Tie up loose ends 

Heavy snow can cling to plants, weighing down branches and stems and causing breakage. It’s best to remove any hanging or damaged branches promptly. Trees with broken branch tips can be trimmed back to the next largest twig, allowing it to become the new branch leader. Branches broken close to the trunk should be pruned back to their point of origin, leaving the branch collar intact to promote proper healing. The Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia provide detailed winter tree care guidance, including best management practices for assessing and dealing with snowstorm damage (Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, n.d.). 

7. Clean up salt 

While salt is effective at keeping walkways ice-free, it can be corrosive to plant roots and vascular systems. Salt should be applied carefully and kept well away from trees and sensitive microhabitats in your yard. Going  a step further, the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia recommend considering alternatives to traditional road salt and incorporating salt-tolerant plantings into your landscape (Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, n.d.). Check out their alternatives, including a homemade brine that works just as well and has even been utilized in cities like Calgary: https://mgnv.org/environment/beyond-road-salt-winter-de-icing-options-2/ Research conducted at Virginia State University has also identified several native Virginia tree species with high salt tolerance, offering more resilient options for winter-prone areas! 

By taking a few proactive steps—planting natives, maintaining trees, mulching, watering wisely, leaving natural debris, pruning carefully, and managing salt use—you can help your landscape weather the winter season and emerge healthy in the spring. 

References 

Carolina Native Nursery. (n.d.). Caring for native plants in the winter. https://www.carolinanativenursery.com/caring-for-native-plants-in-the-winter/ 

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. (n.d.). Assessing and dealing with snowstorm damage on trees; Winter plant care. https://mgnv.org 

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. (n.d.). Leaf it alone: How to utilize fall foliage to nourish your gardens, lawn, and crops. https://www.nvct.org/post/leaf-it-alone-how-to-utilize-fall-foliage-to-nourish-your-gardens-lawn-and-crops 

Virginia Department of Forestry. (n.d.). Storm preparation and tree resiliency. https://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/storm-planning-and-recovery/storm-preparation-and-tree-resiliency/