A long and snowy winter leaves a mark: what to pay attention to in the garden and home this spring?
This article discusses the effects of a long, snowy winter on gardens and homes, offering spring maintenance advice from a senior lecturer at TalTech.
The article addresses the impact of an unusually long and heavy snowy winter on both plants and buildings. According to Jane Raamets, a senior lecturer at TalTech Tartu College, while snow provides natural insulation, its excessive weight and the cycles of thawing and freezing can lead to various forms of damage come spring. Therefore, conducting a thorough inspection of gardens and homes before spring maintenance begins is recommended.
The author emphasizes the importance of checking trees, shrubs, and lawns, as heavy, wet snow can lead to the breaking of branches and deformation of shoots. It is crucial to remove any broken or split branches and assess whether pruning is necessary. Of particular concern are evergreen shrubs, which can be critically affected by winter snow reflecting spring sunlight, increasing the risk of physiological drought.
Moreover, it is necessary to protect evergreen plants towards the end of winter to prevent sunburn and drying out. Solutions such as shading them with special shading cloth can be beneficial, demonstrating the need for careful attention to plant care following harsh winter conditions to ensure a healthy spring growth cycle.