Drowning in Snow?

– Posted in: Weather
14 comments

It seems the snow will never stop. We haven’t had the huge accumulations that parts of New England have seen, just another couple of inches one day, another couple of inches a few days after that. After a while it does amount to a whole bunch.

Man shoveling deep snow

A few inches here, and few inches there, and suddenly it’s a whole lot.

The sun has been shining more (when it’s not snowing), but the subzero (F) windchills make me disinclined to go out for a walk to enjoy it. This is when cold climate gardeners dig deep into their hardy souls for the gumption that will see them through. Don’t be surprised if a plant jumps in your cart. And don’t hesitate to use some light therapy if you find your spirits drooping further than a mere bouquet of flowers can dissipate. More cabin fever tips here.
Two snowy views of one statue

Matching cones of snow on her head and in her dish brings a smile to my lips. Snow up to her chin is not so funny.

I know we have had more snow in other years. Back in the 90s, we certainly had more cold. A week of weather where it got down to -30F every night was expected, and it only gradually warmed up from that. Spring has been coming earlier these past two decades than it did back then. But dang, after all that mildness, a “normal” winter is hard to take.
snow-topped bird feeder

Snow is piling up everywhere, even on the bird feeders. Enough already!

And yet, spring has come every year in its own good time. Last year, snowdrops were up by March 18th; March 7th the year before that. Is it unreasonable to think I could see snowdrops in a month? What do you think?

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About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It’s a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it’s time to reflect on what’s come before.

~Mitchell Burgess in Northern Exposure

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Matt March 8, 2015, 11:30 am

I can sympathize with all but that what we get for living in this area! We are finally seeing some decent melting the last couple days and the grass will be green before you know it.

Donna@Gardens Eye View March 1, 2015, 9:55 am

We have had our 10 ft of snow but most is still covering everything with little to no thaw of compaction…indeed we are drowning.

Becky February 27, 2015, 1:13 pm

I like to think my snowdrops and Dutch iris are sleeping happily under the snow. I see the pictures from Boston and I think we have been so lucky. Perhaps in a month the snow will be gone or maybe seeing snowdrops will depend on whether you remember where to dig!

Les February 26, 2015, 10:45 am

Last night we had our third major snowfall of the season, which is about one more than we normally get, and three more than I want. I was out in the backyard, in slippers, knocking snow from my camellias this morning. The weight of it had the branches touching the ground.

Frank February 25, 2015, 10:42 pm

Great! I’m going to go ahead and stick to the safe side and mark off march 18th as our first day of spring. Even if it means shoveling and pick axing my way through the ice I’m going to find a first snowdrop!
About three weeks. With a nice strong sun I would say that’s do-able 🙂

Frank February 25, 2015, 10:42 pm

Great! I’m going to go ahead and stick to the safe side and mark off march 18th as our first day of spring. Even if it means shoveling and pick axing my way through the ice I’m going to find a first snowdrop!
About three weeks. With a nice strong sun I would say that’s do-able 🙂

Carol February 25, 2015, 8:32 am

One nice thing about birding is that spring migration is one of the 1st signs of spring…and yes, birds singing to mark territory has already started!

Alana February 24, 2015, 5:33 pm

In our sub zero cold today, as the sun came up, the birds were singing. I hope they know something we don’t know.

kathy Sturr of the Violet Fern February 24, 2015, 11:01 am

Well, I sure hope Snowdrops will be coming up in a month. I plan to arrive home from my migration the first day of Spring! I don’t want to see snow but I’m prepared for the worst. Chant with me – melt, melt, melt – slowly melt.

Deborah Banks February 24, 2015, 10:22 am

It’s hard to imagine most of this snow disappearing in a month, but it could happen I know. We will have one hell of a mud season for sure. On the other hand we didn’t see bare ground after Thanksgiving weekend in 2000 until the very end of April 2001. That was our first winter up here!

Dee Nash February 24, 2015, 9:32 am

I love that photo of the statue. I bet all of the northeast feels like it is drowning in snow. We got three to four inches yesterday which is quite a bit for here. I know spring isn’t far off because the male Cardinals are starting to get territorial. It won’t be too long now. Hang in there.~~Dee

Don February 24, 2015, 8:30 am

I can’t believe you have snowdrops a whole month earlier than me? Well I can- I know Ithaca does. I usually don’t see mine until early to middle April. I definitely need to get a snow blower if we keep having snow like this.

Kathy Purdy February 24, 2015, 8:38 am

Well, Don, the last two winters were abnormally mild, but you guys are colder, yes.

Joanne Toft February 23, 2015, 6:07 pm

I hope so! We had way more snow and cold last winter but I am still ready for spring! The -25 wind chill over the last few days has been a bit much. I would be happy with anything over zero right now.