Surprised by Snow? Help Your Garden Bounce Back!

Waking up to heavy snow and the first frost of the season can feel like Mother Nature hit “fast-forward” on winter! If you were still tending to your perennials, getting bulbs in the ground, or enjoying your cool-season annuals, this early blast of snow might have you wondering what to do next. The good news? Temperatures are already climbing back into the 40s and 50s, so you’ve got a chance to help your garden recover and wrap up a few fall tasks before real winter settles in.

That wet, heavy snow can really weigh down your plants.

• Brush off the snow — gently! Use your hands or a soft broom to lift snow from branches and flower stalks, but don’t shake or bend frozen stems. They can snap easily.
• Leave what’s fallen for now. If a few perennials look flattened, let them be until things thaw. Those toppled leaves and stems actually help insulate the plant crowns.
• Hold off on cleanup. Once it warms up again, most perennials will perk back up on their own — then you can tidy up any broken or mushy bits.

Lawns can look a little sad after their first frost and snowfall, but they’ll bounce back too.

• Stay off the grass while it’s frosty. Walking on it now can damage the blades.
• Give it a light rake later. When the snow melts, gently rake away leaves and debris to keep air moving and prevent mold.
• Fertilize if you missed it. If you haven’t done your fall feeding yet, do it soon! A good fall fertilizer strengthens the roots before winter hits.

If your tulips, daffodils, or alliums are still sitting in their bags — don’t worry.

• Wait for the ground to thaw. Once the soil softens up, go ahead and plant them.
• Plant a little deeper than usual. This helps protect bulbs from temperature swings after that frost.
• Apply a bulb fertilizer on top of the soil instead of in the planting hole. It is better to keep the bulbs from rotting when the organic matter decomposes.
• Protect with animal repellent. Sprinkle granules over the surface of the planting hole to mask the scent of the tulips. 
• Mulch right away. A few inches of shredded leaves or straw will keep the soil temperature steady and help roots settle in.

Pansies, violas, and ornamental kale are tough cookies, but that snow can flatten them fast.

• Hands off while frozen. Let them thaw naturally before you try to brush them off or trim them.
• Clean them up afterward. Once things warm up, remove any soggy or damaged leaves so the plants can focus on fresh growth.
• Feed lightly. A diluted liquid fertilizer can give them a quick pick-me-up to keep blooming through the rest of fall.

A surprise snowstorm might feel like the end of the gardening season, but it’s really just a reminder that nature runs on her own schedule. Most plants are more resilient than we give them credit for — and this warm-up into the 40s and 50s is your chance to help them recover, plant those last bulbs, and button things up before winter truly arrives.

So, grab your gloves (and maybe a warm mug of something cozy), head outside, and give your garden a little post-snow love. It’ll thank you in spring!