A rarity took place in Brunswick County the week of January 20th when snowfall accumulated to up to 5 inches in some places! The snow on the beach had some people scratching their heads, asking “How do I protect my plants from the snow?”. Now that we know it can snow in Brunswick County, let's save these tips for another snowy day to protect your landscaped plants!

1. Select plants according to the USDA hardiness zone 8B!
   1. We are in the USDA hardiness zone 8b which means our average minimum temperature is 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure you choose plants that are known to survive in our climate.
2. Place plants on the downwind side of a wall or windbreak of other plants.
   1. This will protect plants from harsh winter winds that result in desiccation and drying out.
3. Keep them healthy during the growing season.
   1. Poorly maintained plants are more likely to suffer from winter injury. Follow proper irrigation, fertilization, pruning, and other maintenance recommendations from NCSU Cooperative Extension year round to ensure healthy plants in the winter. 
4. Protect sensitive or young plants with a commercial tree wrap.
   1. Use a polyurethane spiral wrap or paper wrap in the fall and remove by spring.
5. Water your plants before the freeze
   1. The water absorbs and holds heat so this keeps the soil and roots warm. Good water availability within the plant before the freeze helps reduce the water stress associated with cold damage, which looks a lot like drought damage!
6. Apply a fresh layer of mulch
   1. Organic matter such as mulch or pine straw helps insulate the soil and roots and retain moisture. Don’t forget to keep mulch at least 6 inches from the trunk of the plant to avoid volcano mulching though!
7. Cover plants with a sheet or frost cloth
   1. Helps trap the warmth around the plants.