Gardeners given advice on dealing with snow on plants

Although the worst of the winter weather now seems to have passed, gardeners that still have snow on their land have been told of the importance of removing it from plants safely.

Annette Ipsan writes for the Herald-Mail that light snow acts as an insulator for protecting branches and roots from extreme temperatures.

This changes as the snow becomes heavier as this can damage branches, but it can also be tricky to remove without harming any plants.

Ms Ipsan advises: "If the snow is light and fluffy, you can brush upward – yes, upward – to safely remove it.

"But if the snow is icy or heavy, let it be. Trying to remove it often causes more damage than the snow and ice."

She added that mixing snow with salt is not the best idea as the salt could spoil plants, while shovelling the snow could additionally be hazardous for any flowers.

The BBC recommends that gardeners ensure that their more tender plants are positioned in the most sheltered areas to limit the damage caused by colder temperatures and snow.