A lack of snow cover is dangerous for perennials. Luckily, there's still time to do something about it

Uh-oh. We don't have snow-cover.

Now, the loyal reader knows I have only one superpower. This power is the singular ability to mention the current weather in this column, and thus, cause it to change drastically. No rain for months? No problem.

One word about the situation in this column and how to deal with it, and we'll have a deluge that very day. So when I write about no snow on the ground, I recognize the possible force of my words.

Still, I have to do it. Not only can I see your lawns because of the lack of snow, ours still displays the last huge circular pattern I laid down in late September. In fact, lately the heavy frosts make the circles contrast each other and alone this would totally justify mowing the lawn in unusual and interesting patterns.

However, the fact that I can still so clearly see those circles is a sign of potential danger ahead. Snow-cover keeps plants dormant during freeze and thaw cycles. This is what makes a perennial hardy here. And, snow-cover keeps the frost from getting so deep it freezes waterlines running to the house.

Don't mistake me. No snow this time of year is fine if the temperatures don't get much colder. There is enough warmth coming up from the deep earth to keep the frost line at a safe level.

However, if this snowless weather continues, plants will need to be protected. The problem is that looking into my crystal ball (and the possibility my superpower actually changes things aside), it looks like we won't have suitable accumulations of snow for a couple of more weeks, at least.

Now, those who listened to me should be in fine shape. You put leaves down over your perennial beds and plants. Those who skipped this chore, however, need to think a bit about the value of your perennial collection.

You don't have to take my word for it. It is gardening lore around here: the year we didn't have any snow-cover. Not only did we lose a tremendous amount of perennial plant material (well over half of the plants at the Alaska Botanical Garden), we lost all manner of spring-flowering bulbs, too.The wise gardener has been fall mulching ever since.

Fortunately, it is not too late to give your outdoor plants the protection they need to prevent them from being damaged or killed if we continue to have a relatively snowless winter.

You should have leaves on your property which can be used to save the day. This is particularly so if you have been following my suggestion to gather a few bags of leaves in the fall so you have brown material for the compost pile next spring and summer. Or you can take some from around the base of your trees, for example.

So, even though I don't like to suggest it, if you didn't mulch perennials this fall, now is definitely one of those times when you need to put on the long underwear Uncle Bob sent you last Christmas and go out there and retrieve some of your extra leaves and put them over your perennials.

You want to put down leaf mulch so it creates a layer about 3 or 4 inches high. Deeper won't hurt, that is for sure. This should keep your plants from growing when we have freeze and thaw spells.

The problem is this time of year you can't really water the mulch to dampen it and keep it from blowing away later. Work it in a bit with your rake and since the ground is frozen, you can walk on your mulch to help pack it into place as long as you avoid damaging plant crowns and labels, which will break.

Yes, it is a cold, unexpected chore. And, to tell you the truth, I never expected to suggest it to anyone. I can tell you that next fall, early, I am going to really make a bigger push to ensure we all do mulch. I have to — just in case I've lost my superpower and mentioning the lack of snow no longer results in our receiving several feet the day this column appears.

Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar

Lights: Come on. What are you waiting for? Your plants need them and so do you. Visit the lighting department in a box store or go to one of the several specialty grow stores in Alaska.

Learn the art of making ice candles and luminarias: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7 or 1-3 p.m. Dec. 10; Mike Monterusso will demonstrate. Limited to 12 participants; Registration required. Call 907-770-3692 for more information.

No snow? Pick up: If you can see it, you can probably retrieve that hose, sprinkler or whatever was left out on the lawn before we get snow.