Big Snow

How big? Maybe 17 inches. Big.
Big enough to keep my spinach and garlic very very snug. I expect big things from them in spring, because snow is good for the garden.

A good snow cover keeps the ground at a steady temperature, preventing  freeze/thaw cycles that are damaging to plants.

 A really good snow cover will protect plants from deer browse. Unfortunately it may make them more vulnerable to mouse and vole damage.

Snowfall takes nitrogen from the air and releases it slowly into the soil. Very little of it ends up in the storm drains.

10 inches of snow = 1 inch of rain. 10 inches of snow falling on an acre of ground is equivalent to about 27,150 gallons of water.  That’s 113 tons.

"After a copious fall of snow, an observer may find in the scenery which it forms, matter on which to exercise his powers of reflection." ~Andrew Steinmetz, 1867

"Take long walks in stormy weather or through deep snows in the 

fields and woods, if you would keep your spirits up. 

Deal with brute nature. Be cold and hungry and weary." 

~Henry David Thoreau

"Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery."

~Bill Watterson (creator of Calvin and Hobbes)

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." ~Mae West