How Do You Protect Landscaping During Snow Plowing?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Protecting landscaping during snow plowing is a common concern for homeowners in London, Ontario who've invested in gardens, shrubs, and lawn edges they don't want damaged every winter.

The simplest and most effective step is marking driveway and walkway edges with stakes before the first snowfall. Reflective driveway markers make it easy for a plow operator to see exactly where the hard surface ends and the lawn begins, even in low light or heavy snow, which dramatically reduces accidental scraping.

Shrubs and delicate plants near a driveway benefit from simple protection like burlap wrapping or small snow fence barriers, which shield them from both plow-thrown snow and the weight of piled snow banks.

It also helps to talk to your snow removal company about where you'd prefer snow to be piled. Directing piles away from prized garden beds or young trees prevents crushing damage and reduces spring cleanup from salt-heavy snow sitting on plants for months.

What to Expect From a Seasonal Plan

Every seasonal customer gets the same basics: service from December 1 to March 31, automatic visits at 5 cm or more, return visits in long storms, the City windrow cleared, and a timestamped photo after each visit. Quotes are prepared from City of London maps and aerial imagery within 1 business day, and we carry $2,000,000 liability coverage, are WSIB registered and are LPMA members.

Know Where the Damage Usually Happens

Most winter landscaping damage falls into a few predictable spots: the lawn edge where the driveway meets grass, the corners at the bottom of the driveway where the City windrow is pushed aside, garden beds that end up under snow piles, and low shrubs beside walkways that get buried in heavy, salty snow. Walk your property in the fall and note these areas so you can protect them before the ground freezes.

Plan Where Snow Should Go

A plow has to put snow somewhere. On most London lots, the best storage spots are lawn areas away from young trees and beds, and never on top of drains or against the house. Tell your contractor which side to favour. Pushing snow to an area that slopes away from the driveway also keeps spring meltwater from flowing back across the surface and refreezing.

Reduce Salt Burn on Lawns and Beds

Salty meltwater is the quiet killer of lawn edges and roadside plants. Use the least de-icer that does the job, applied on cleared surfaces rather than on top of snow, and choose gentler products near beds. Our pet-safe de-icer option ($120 + HST) is a good fit where plants and pets share the same strip. In spring, a deep watering of the lawn edge helps flush salt out of the soil.

Decorative Surfaces Need Different Equipment

Stamped concrete, interlocking pavers and natural stone can be scratched or chipped by a bare steel blade. For these driveways we use a raised rubber-edge blade near decorative surfaces, which is part of why three-car, paver and stamped driveways are priced at $1,050 + HST for the season. If you have edging stones or lighting along the driveway, mark them as well.

Young Trees and Hedges

Young trees planted close to the driveway are especially vulnerable, because heavy banks can split low branches and salt spray damages buds. A simple wooden frame or a few stakes with burlap stretched between them keeps snow from landing directly on the plant. Cedar hedges along a driveway can be loosely tied with twine in late fall so wet snow does not splay them open. Remove wraps in early spring once the hard freezes are over.

What We Do Before the Season

Before December 1, edges, steps and drains are marked on every property we service. That gives crews a clear outline in the dark and in deep snow. Every visit ends with a timestamped photo, so if something looks off you can tell us right away rather than discovering it in April.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wrap my shrubs?

Burlap or a small snow fence helps evergreens and low shrubs near the driveway handle both thrown snow and salt spray.

What if my lawn edge gets scuffed anyway?

Note it from the visit photo and let us know; rake and reseed the edge in spring once the soil dries.

Want a crew that marks your property before the first snow? Get a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. Read about stamped and paver drives and residential snow removal.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.