Don’t Forget to Winter Water Your Landscape Plants!

Many of your landscape plants continue to grow roots throughout the winter and need moisture to survive. Limited snowfall, low humidity, variable temperatures and minimal soil moisture can all produce significant damage to your landscape. Fall and winter watering (October through March) should be done one to two times per month, depending on weather, temperature and soil conditions. Water when temperatures are above 40 degrees, there is no snow cover and the ground is not frozen.

Trees: Water should be applied evenly within and just outside the drip line, deeply and slowly, so it moistens the critical root zone to a depth of 12 inches. Methods for watering include a deep root fork or needle, soaker hose, surface sprinkler or soft spray wand. For small (1” to 3” trunk diameter) and medium size trees (4” to 8” diameter), apply 10 gallons of water for each diameter. For large trees (over 10” trunk diameter), apply 15 gallons per diameter inch.

Shrubs: Apply 5 gallons two times per month for a newly planted shrub. Small established shrubs (less than 3 feet tall) should receive 5 gallons monthly. Large established shrubs (more than 6 feet) require 18 gallons on a monthly basis. Decrease amounts to account for precipitation. Water within the drip line of the shrub and around the base.

Perennials: Winter watering at least once per month is recommended on late planted perennials and perennials located in windy or southwest exposures.

Turf: Turfgrass mites feed on, damage, and kill lawns during the fall and winter. When spring comes around, the first sign there is a problem is when the grass fails to come out of dormancy and remains brown. The only option in this case is to replace the damaged turf. While insecticides can be applied to control turfgrass mites, the key to preventing damage to lawns is winter watering. Pay special attention to south and west facing areas of your lawn, sloped areas and hot spots around trees and evergreens.

For more information, go to www.pwsd.org/xeriscape.html.

A Winter Watering Schedule can be found here