I too had heard that old time saying long ago.

 I think it had more to do with the indication of what next year will be when it snows during "plowing season". Kind of a prediction sort of thing. Those old timers had a lot of them, and many of them were quite accurate.

 So as you mention, snow came exceptionally early, that could be the application of the old time saying. Early snow could be an indicator of next planting season being extreme weather and delaying planting etc.

 Dunno for sure, but it would be interesting if you would observe and give updates over time as to how the weather turns out next year for planting.