As usual the weather forecasters just couldn’t nail our weather forecast. Several days ago they began hyping the massive snowfall of 1-3 inches that was on its way. The forecast at one point even predicted 2-4 inches! OK I know you northern gardeners are saying “massive snowfall?” Please keep in mind that everything is relative and a massive for Tennessee would be a micro-snowfall for the northern states but in fact can affect us much more significantly. Schools close on the mere threat of snow threat because it isn’t fiscally worthwhile to invest in snow plows. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania and remember snowstorms that involved 1-2 feet and sometimes more. There have only been handful of really big snowfalls here in TN since I’ve lived here (like 1993! 2 feet in March) but even the meager snows can visually impact the garden in a spectacular way.
Here in the backyard you can see how much snow we landed. Less than an inch and plenty of grass still visible. Not nearly enough for the afternoon of sledding as we were hoping.
Here is the arbor I built in April. It stands out nicely in the snow.
But where the snow really has a nice impact is on the plants themselves. Like on the seed heads of these coneflowers. I leave the seed heads for the birds and in the hope to get a little more winter interest.
The seed heads of ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum provide a good platform for collecting snow.
Iris leaves peaking through the snow provide a little green through the white.
Earlier today my daughter called the snow “falling clouds.” I never thought about snow that way but perhaps there is wisdom in the musings of a four year old.
Snowfall on evergreens can’t be topped for impact.
Except perhaps by snow on berries. In this case nandina berries.
Of course the snow decorating the last remaining foliage of this viburnum is pretty cool.
Have you ever had snow on yew? You probably have!
Bird’s Nest spruce with a side order of snow looks pretty good too.
Even the naked branches of the trees in the woods look special with a little bit of white frosting added.
A little fungus can add some interesting color.
Our kitty cat statue is chillin’ out in the birdbath garden!
I don’t even own a snow shovel so this walkway may remain white for several days. The temperatures won’t get above freezing for several days. Tomorrow will be somewhere around a steamy 20 degrees Fahrenheit!
The greenhouse roof has a nice coat of white snow that you can see through the roof window
With the temperatures colder than they have been in a long time for this time of year we could see more snow in the future. We’ll see. Typically our large snowfalls seem to come in February and March when there is more moisture in the air.
And for more snowy posts why not visit Nancy at Soliloquy for her First Snowfall Project!
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Betsy just posted about the massive snow fall in TN as well, lol. We would love to see this much snow in Florida. This may be a warning for Feb. and March. I dearly love the snow on the plants!!
Good luck digging yourself out of the snow drifts Dave.
It's been bitter over here in west Europe, back in the Cotswolds in the UK near my Mother, there was a 16 inch snowfall and last night some areas recorded temps of -18C.
I hope the weather patterns change for Feb and it gets mild again. Wonderful for kids mind, falling clouds etc…
all the best
Rob
Dear Dave .. you did make me chuckle with the "massive snowfall alert" ? but hey .. I understand in your part of the world it truly is an iffy situation (just to be on the safe side I would buy a shovel and name it Snow-Shovel, for "just in case" situations!) .. I love those berries !! so bright and red .. and the shot from the greenhouse is spot on .. good luck with future possible snow fall ?
😉 Joy
I own three snow shovels so shall I send you one? Ha! I swept off my front walk. It is so icy out there kudos for venturing out to get some shots. I think if this snow fell in Maine even they would close the schools. I went out for a bit yesterday and while the main roads are clear, all secondary roads are nothing but ice under a fine coat of snow. It is really really bad. I'm glad they cancelled school again and hope it warms up next week. Stay warm!
You really captured the beauty of the snow quite beautifully – makes me a little chilled just reading about it…pardon me while i go and get another cup of coffee to warm up!
It ain't much, but it is very slippery! Like Tina, I am glad things are closed here too. I haven't taken any snow pics, too afraid of falling, so will enjoy yours. The greenhouse and arbor do look wonderful with a white dusting. 🙂
Frances
Your snow would have been considered massive here in the Uk until this week – we have had 11". I dont remember seeing so much snow
Darla,
If you receive snow in Florida I hope we can have your Florida weather! After a couple weeks of this unusual cold I'm ready for some unusual warmth!
Rob,
That kind of snow is unusual for the UK isn't it? Bitter is an appropriate adjective for this arctic weather pattern.
Joy,
You might have something there with the snow shovel idea. I do have a square bladed shovel that would work alright in a pinch, I guess I've just not been pinched…let's keep it that way!
Tina,
I think I can manage without the snow shovel, I wonder how they would work with leaves? Jenny stayed home and worked from the computer so she didn't have to be out, I'm glad she can do that when needed. Too risky on those secondary roads.
Rebecca,
This might chill you more, the temperature is currently 15 degrees!
Frances,
The white dusting does make things interesting! I hope the warmth comes soon, I'm a bit tired of being cooped up inside.
PG,
That is a big one! 11 inches and our current cold would completely shut down the state for days. I hope it doesn't effect the power over there.
It was underwhelming here in the mid south! I wish we had a few inches of the fluffy stuff to cover up the garden and protect it from the frigid weather! Hope you're keeping warm! gail
If you want more snow, we can send you some. We have just been slammed by day after day of snow since New Years. I am getting a lot of use out of my snow blower that I bought last year. It hasn't been so long that I don't remember how everything shuts down there and there are great runs on milk and bread. Hope everyone is well.
Chris