Snow on the Allotment

By James Middleton - Added 6th of February 2009

Snow, snow and more snow

I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little bored of hearing about the snow at the moment. Okay, this is the worst spell of Arctic weather we have had for over 20 years, but snow happens. It just seems that the news on this subject is falling thicker and faster than the snowflakes themselves. So we have to ask (being a website dedicated the everything allotmenting), what does this mean for our allotment?

Well first, unless the snow has melted on your plot, not a lot. There isn't much you can or should do at the moment but wait. Digging the snow into the soil will not do much for soil temperatures!

We can only marvel at it and wonder what the effects of this winter blast is having on our plans for warmer days. Well, hopefully it's for the good.

The benefits of snow on your allotment

Firstly, snow is a great insulator reflecting heat back into the ground and providing a barrier against the frost and cold wind. It will stop frost in it's tracks, preventing it from penetrating even deeper into the soil. This will protect root systems of any perennial plants you may have on your plot.

Snow will also keep in moisture. A hard frost can actually freeze off much of the moisture needed by plants.

There is only a few draw-backs - some plants may be damaged by the shear weight of the snow and of course, you can't always see what you are treading on.

Credits & Links

Article written by James Middleton - www.theallotmentgarden.co.uk.

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