Why snow is good for gardens

Seattle's MLK Week Forecast

Snowmageddon 2012 is imminent here in Seattle and everyone is going a little bonkers. It is a bit comical for a Rocky Mountain native. That said, the geography and humidity of Seattle does make for the slickest streets I have ever encountered. So, there are some decent reasons for the sliding cars beyond inexperience. With all the doom and gloom, some people do forget that a little bit of cold and ice now will make things easier in our gardens later.

Pests don't like the cold. The little buggers that like to eat our greens and tomatoes, slugs and flies etc, loose population during longer cold snaps and snows. So come summer, we have fewer of these guys to contend with. I am still learning about the many pests I never encountered in Montana. Many are not found there for the simple fact of colder winters.

Personally, I enjoy the snow. Especially walking in it as it brushes my face in the cold breeze. It reminds me of skiing or sledding back home. For those of you without those pleasant snow memories, you can take comfort in the fact that the snow causes slug carnage. Fewer slugs chewing on your greens is good, right?

 - Ben