Don’t count on this past November's big snow to be enough to get your trees and perennials through the winter.
| Snowfall usually provides far less moisture than rain, so you’ll need to supplement with some winter watering for your trees, shrubs, and perennials. Water long enough so that the soil is thoroughly soaked without run-off. Be sure to water areas in high sun exposure which tend to suffer winter kill. Water your sloped areas using cycle-and-soak: several shorter periods of watering to let the moisture soak in without running off. Dry winter conditions can also attract turf mites, but proper watering can deter them. CSU's PDF on Winter Watering is here. If you aren't able to hand-water your landscape this winter, hire a landscape pro to do the work for you. It's a good investment in the long-term value of your property. Keep watering even after the system is winterized. Don’t water when a hard freeze is expected to save damage to your plants. | In dry winters, all shrubs benefit from winter watering from October through March. 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. |
