Protecting Exposed Plants in Winter

The cold weather struck so quickly that I did not have time to mulch. I wasn't worried since we had snow. Now that it has melted should I be concerned?

Constantly changing winter weather can be hard on plants and those that tend them. Winter mulch applied after the ground freezes protects tender plants and those subject to frost heaving due to fluctuating winter temperatures that shift the soil. Consistent snow cover is your best mulch. Unfortunately many of us can't always count on that. You can take your chances or apply evergreen boughs (from a discarded Christmas tree) and straw while the soil is frozen and bare.