Should I leave the snow on my lawn or shovel it off?
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“I see some of my neighbours shovelling snow off their lawn. Is this OK?” is a question we often hear each spring. Seems like a good idea, as one may think that the lawn can start getting greener and growing again before the snow-covered lawns. Well, the quick answer is no, not really. Let’s look at the reasons why you should let nature dissolve the snow instead.
Why you should let nature take its course
1. Snow provides insulation
Snow is not bad for your lawn. In fact, it is considered beneficial. It provides a blanket of insulation to protect it against extreme cold. Removing this cover exposes your lawn to freezing elements that it is not meant to deal with. After all, we often do get cold snaps in early spring. Just wait a few more weeks!
2. Grass is brittle when exposed
While grass is flexible in warmer weather, it becomes more brittle when it freezes. The act of shovelling itself could break the blades, but your boots tramping on the cold-exposed lawn blades can also do damage. It is even worse if homeowners are using a snowblower to get rid of lawn snow.
3. Snow retains moisture and releases a nutrient charge
Leaving the snow on the lawn helps retain moisture for later in the season and provides nutrients to the soil once the snow starts to melt. Snowflakes pick up nitrogen from the air as they fall. So once the snow starts to melt, the lawn receives a slow watering that contains nitrogen, a vital plant food. Leaving the snow on the lawn ends up charging the residual water from the snow melt within reach of plant roots for many weeks, even months. Saves on watering.
4. By-laws make it illegal to throw snow on roads
It is prohibited in most of Canada to throw snow on roadways and municipal sidewalks. It forces drivers, bikers and pedestrians to maneuver around your disposed snow. Common courtesy should prevail if by-laws don’t!
5. Waste of energy
Shovelling snow off your lawn is a total waste of energy and is really an unnecessary gardening task. For the welfare of your lawn and passersby, let nature do the work!
The exception to the rule
There is, however, some merit to two specific lawn snow shovelling: thinning snow drifts that have piled up and removing salt-laced snowbanks along walks and driveways.
Why thinning snow drifts is beneficial
If some corners of your lawn have natural wind-blown snow drifts, you could reduce this accumulation, just because it will take longer to melt. A lawn disease called “snow mold” thrives in areas where snow has built up and may remain for a long time. Usually seen in areas of high humidity or poor drainage, and where there is long-remaining snow. You only need to take the drifts down to the same levels as the snow on the rest of your lawn, spreading the snow on the remainder of the lawn or shrub beds, and let it melt naturally.
Why you should lower snowbanks
Ice melters that you used to ensure the safety of your family and guests over the winter can settle in the snowbanks on the edges of your lawn. Salt build-up can stunt or burn your grass. It is recommended that over the winter you avoid piling snow from sidewalks and driveways on landscaped borders. Your application of ice melters should be adequate, but not excessive. At any rate, snowbanks with or without ice melters could be reduced by shovelling them down to the level of the main lawn.
TIP: When all the snow has melted along the edges of sidewalks and driveways, you should water them well to flush down salts. And spreading gypsum on those specific salt-affected areas will help push the sodium out of the soil and minimize any salt damage.
So, when you see your neighbour shovelling snow off their main lawn areas, just wave and enjoy the fact that you are saving your energy for something more satisfying.
