Late spring snowstorm blankets southwestern Manitoba, leaving some gardeners scrambling for cover

Brandonites are feeling the aftermath of a strong storm that blanketed the city in wet and heavy snow Friday.

The City of Brandon had to shut down most of its spring construction projects and suspends street sweeping due to the snowfall. Thesnow also knocked down trees and branchesblockingsome roads and sidewalks.

In a Friday afternoon social media post, Manitoba Hydro said it was "dealing with stormy weather and heavy, wet snow, causing outages in areas throughout western/central Manitoba."

It also forced some southwestern Manitobans to change their plans.

Brendon Ehingerhadplanned to host Dronescape an immersive concert of experimental music outside inBrandon'sRideau Park on Saturday.

"Woke up this morning, and there was still snow on the ground," he said.

With concerns about thelingering cold affectingmusicians'performances, and the potential for risks to sensitive electronic equipment and extension cords used for Dronescapefrom the wet ground, Ehingermade the 11th-hour decisionto move the eventindoors, to the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba.

"LuckilyI'veworked with the art gallery here in Manitoba in the pastandthey offered their space as an alternate site forjustthis situation," he said.

The stronglow-pressure systemthat brought the snow was expectedtolinger until midday Saturday, soaking the region with50-60 millimetres of precipitation and potentially causing flooding in low-lying areas, according to Environment Canada.

The rain gaveway to heavy snow, and a snowfall warning was issued for Brandon by Environment Canada on Friday afternoon.

Gardeners cautiously optimistic aboutmoisture

Leslie Loader, president of the Brandon Garden Club, said while it was surprising to see the white covering at the end of May, the wet and heavy snow brought much-needed moisture to the soil and trees.

She waits until the very end of May and into early June to plant, in order to avoid any late frosts,but she'sheard some gardeners lostplantstothe storm.

"That happens every year. Wehave somesort ofevent, whetherit'shail or cold or wind,"shesaid."Later planting is probably safer planting.I'malways real cautious."

Gardener Megan Hamill said she'sgrateful she coveredupher garden the night before the storm.Herraised beds still have greens sprouting out, althoughthere are bits of lingering snow.

"Thisisn'tunusual for Manitoba. Sowe usually put in, like,as late as we can, because even ifit'snot snow, the frost can come and take them,"Hamill said.

The snow was "inconvenient," but "I was lucky that I was prepared for it earlyandI got to save all my garden seeds,"she said.

There are also upsides to the snowfall the moisture could begood news for gardeners, farmers and forests, she said.

Plus, "I thought the snow ... lookedreallybeautiful," said Hamill."I tooksome cool photos of the yard being half snow and half summer."

Loader said if people lost plants to the snow,there'sstill time for things to come up or to plant something new.

"Be patient with your perennials. Theymaywellcome up yet, andthis moisture will make them happy for sure,"Loader said."The annuals,I'msorry if you planted a little bit earlytheydon'tlike frost, theydon'tlike cold."

By a happy accident, the Brandon Garden Club is hosting its latest-ever annual Plant Sale at the Dome on June 1, she said.

The club was worried it would be too late in the season for most gardeners,but"now Mother Nature has sort of blessed us by holding everybody off a little bit,"Loader said.

Green thumbs can swap tips and snow stories as people shop for newplants,orto replace plants ones thatwere lost, she said.

"Our plant sale's gonna be right intime."