 A Winter to Remember!
Like many of us (or maybe not) I wish we could enjoy the season for what it is supposed to be. This winter is one to remember, with more snowfall than we have had in over a century. The snow is beautiful and the way it fell was powerful, particularly in the third storm. It is unfortunate that the first thing we do when Mother Nature covers us in a beautiful and serene white blanket is to figure out the best means of getting rid of it. We create stress out of most any event in our lives!
The snow has a profound effect in a landscape. It is a double-edged sword to plant health. Many plants are collapsed or split ... some will come back, some won't. Many will need assistance in their spring back to life, in the form of pruning and staking. Some will need to be removed and replaced. For the strong, the snow will be a steady dose of nutrients as the ground begins to accept the melt and slow feeding. Turf will never look better than it will after the snow slowly disappears.
Snow allows us to visualize our landscape and use it in different ways. It enables us to seasonally plan our outdoors. Many may notice the fire red color reflected in the snow from dogwood shrubs and different varieties of 'bloodgood' maples. Trees that retain berries such as crabapple and hawthorne continue to feed wildlife.
 In our outdoor rooms, it allows us to envision areas we can use in the winter — like a small sitting area with a fireplace or chiminea. One of the first things I did, after shoveling the drive and roof, was shovel the patio area surrounding the chiminea, clearing out a sitting area for four, protected from the wind by 3' and 4' piles of snow. I can still enjoy a glass of wine and a cigar in comfort outside. It is the ultimate peaceful setting and a great gathering area for friends. Getting to the wood for the fire was another story ...
(Exterior Image is constructing an outdoor fireplace and seating area. Our new fireplaces have a modular core that any stone of your choice can be veneered to. Other creative features that can be added are larger mantles and seat walls off of the side.)
Bottom line is that we should take every opportunity to enjoy our outdoor environment, in all settings. In our region we are blessed with the opportunity to experience seasonal change and the effect on our landscape. Better to enhance it than to manipulate it.
Mark Childs
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