Benefits of Snow

Since we finally have some snow and I am surrounded by falling snow I decided today would be a great day to talk about SNOW!

Growing up in the mountains, snow was a constant. As a child I loved it for the first couple months, but once Christmas was over I figured that was enough for the snow. Unfortunately for me, where I lived Christmas was usually just the beginning of snow. We would have it for another 3 months before spring would start to arrive. As an adult permaculturist and gardener, I have developed a new deep appreciation for snow. While eagerly anticipate spring and the warmer weather that brings on new growth, I have developed a deep appreciation for colder months of snow and dormancy that blanket my home each year. Snow has so many benefits to our eco-system, our land and crops, and our planet.

So let's talk about the benefits of snow!

Snow's Role on a Global Scale

When looking at snow from a macro level we need to consider glaciers and ice shelves, the places on the planet with the largest accumulation of snow. Ice sheets and glaciers hold a significant amount of moisture, around 99% of the fresh water in the world. (National Snow and Ice Data Center) They also play a large role in the temperature regulation of our planet.

In addition to containing water, these ice shelves and glaciers also contain a vast amount of microbiome. Some of it being microbiomes that we see day to day already, like nitrogen, sulphate, minerals, and bacteria. Some of it the planet hasn't been exposed to in years due to years of formation. Snow and ice actually need particles to form. Meaning that they are biological powerhouses.

How Snow Benefits Soil and Plants

On a more micro level, snow on its own is a nutrient dense powerhouse that contains and stores much-needed fuel and feed for our plants and crops

How Snow Enriches Soil

For a snowflake to be able to form there must be a center piece of a particle, also called the nuclei. This usually consists of elements like nitrogen, pollen, and carbon, but they also contain bacteria and other tiny microbes that are in the atmosphere. As the atmosphere cools, tiny ice crystals start to form around these microbes, and once they become heavy enough, they will start to descend to the earth below. This process gives these nutrients a ride back down to the earth's surface.

Snow is often called 'poor man's' fertilizer.

Insulating Properties of Snow

Snow and ice are nature's way of protecting soil, and plants. As well as providing insulation for animals that are buried underground. This snow blanket protects the soil and plants from blowing cold air, that would normally damage them. The temperature under a blanket of snow, generally, stays close to 0C (32F), even when the arid temperatures are much higher. This is because the heat from the earth below comes up to the surface and snow/ice contains air pockets that are highly insulating.

This helps keep the root system of plants comfortable and protected. For example, before this latest snowfall, my crocuses and Tulips started to sprout. This is very early for them to be coming out. Luckily it snowed before the weather turned cold, helping them to be protected from the freezing air.

It is also why Igloos work so well. The ice traps the heat, but does not melt because of the cold arid temperatures.

Snow as Fresh Water Source

Snow brings fresh water to crops and plants everywhere it falls. As it melts it releases fresh water, nitrogen, sulphate, minerals, and bacteria into the soil.

When this snow melts slowly, the ground is able to uptake the majority of this fresh water and store it underground in the form of aquifers, which is a fancy way of saying water stored underground for later use. Some of it will also be evaporated for its next cycle.

When it melts quickly, or the soil structure is not able to absorb the melting ice and snow, it then flows to find somewhere it is able to or eventually ends up in a running water source, like a creek or river. Or it will sit in a form of a puddle, lake or pond, to eventually be evaporated back into the atmosphere for its next cycle.

The melting snow from mountain glaciers brings an added boost of minerals and nutrients as well. As these glaciers melt and the running water comes down the mountain, it brings with it sediment and plant life. Which contains high amounts of nutrients and minerals. These then redistributed from high above, to down below and slowly throughout any creek, river or other water or ground source it comes into contact with.

Snow is not just a beautiful part of our planet; it plays a vital role in supporting life at both a global and local level. As you look out at the snow-covered landscape, take a moment to appreciate the incredible benefits it brings to our ecosystem, soil, and plants. On the plus side, snow, snow flakes, glaciers and ice shelves are a beautiful part of our planet

Feel free to share your experiences, thoughts, or even your favorite snowy memories in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!"