Quote Originally Posted by Tea View Post
I'm more concerned about the plants that stick above ground. Things like yucca, the crowns of ferns, and some low crampbark bushes can take a bit of a beating from it, even though the snow offers them some protection. That's not the only reason I usually shovel by hand though - I really do enjoy the challenge!
True on the above-ground parts, though my experience is that plants that have a root system and some path to sunlight will find a way regarless of how much is sticking up above the surface!

This morning I "enjoyed the challenge" of using a shovel to clear a driveway and two sidewalk cuts to the street which were clogged by what the plow left behind on the night-plow street. The wind chill here is in the minus-teens F at the moment so I "enjoyed" it for as brief a time as I could. I'll haul out the snowblower for the greater amount of work I'll have when the plow cuts through our street. Should be in the minus-single-digits by then...