Winter Watering Reminder

Western ecosystems rely on winter snowfall as a crucial part of their yearly water supply. Unfortunately this year the weather seems a bit uncooperative...

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Western ecosystems rely on winter snowfall as a crucial part of their yearly water supply. Unfortunately this year the weather seems a bit uncooperative in the precipitation department. Add to that problem higher than normal daytime temperatures—producing more rapid transpiration—and you have a garden in need of some healthy watering.

So what is healthy winter watering? Remember these basic tips:

  • Before the winter started we suggested once a month watering—with the dry weather, amend your watering schedule to once every three weeks. If the dry weather continues, you may need to go to twice monthly watering. Keep an eye on the skies.
  • Water only when the air temperature is above freezing. You’ll want to apply water early in the day so that it will have time to soak in before nighttime freezing. If water stands around the base of a tree it can freeze and damage the bark. Heavy coatings of ice on turfgrasses can cause suffocation or result in matting of the grass.
  • Lawn grasses are prone to winter damage-especially newly planted lawns, both sod and seeded. Pay particular attention to turf on southern exposures.
  • As a rule of thumb, evergreen trees need more water than deciduous ones. Any plant with shallow root systems, such as pine, spruce, non-native juniper, Euonymous and Oregon grape will be more susceptible to winter damage.
  • When watering woody plants that have been planted in the last two seasons, the most important area to water is the distance from halfway between the plant and the outer stretch of the branches to approximately one foot beyond the “drip line” of branch extremities. This also prevents water from building up near the trunk of the plant.
  • The purpose of winter watering is not to provide water for the plant to draw up its stem—rather, to provide water to prevent the roots from desiccating in the cold dry ground. It can be hard to remember to water when you don’t have a wilting plant as a visual clue. Write a reminder every three weeks on your calendar.
  • Remember to water newly planted bulbs as well. By nature a bulb stores a lot of water, which aids in its production of spring blooms. Bulbs left unwatered over the winter will not have the ability to sprout in the spring.

So spend some time in the garden this weekend giving out good soakings for the New Year. Your plants will amply reward you for your kindness come springtime.