‘Snow is a poor man’s fertilizer’ is an infamous expression that some consider nothing more than an old wives’ tale. But snow is actually quite useful in the garden. With record breaking snowfall across the Florida Panhandle, we got curious about the benefits of snow:
- Snow collects nitrogen and other particulates like sulfur as it falls through the atmosphere. When it melts, those helpful elements can help revitalize soil.
- The moisture snow provides can help nourish seeds, sprouts, and seedlings so they survive sometimes unpredictable spring rainfalls without assistance.
- Snow acts as a natural insulator; it has a crystalline structure that creates air pockets useful in protecting delicate roots and bulbs against radical temperature fluctuations during hard freezes.
- Snow moved from hard walkways such as walkways, patios, decks, or driveways can be added to grass, flowerbeds, or garden plots. This will add extra moisture to the soil rather than allowing it to evaporate.
- Snow can be collected in rain barrels, open troughs, or other containers to use for watering gardens or pots once it melts.
Want to learn more about the poor man’s fertilizer? Tim Travers further explains nitrogen in his 2002 article (click here to open).