October 2024 | Native Edge Landscapes
You’ve raked the leaves, wrapped the roses in burlap, and even managed to fit the kids’ Halloween costumes over snow gear. Surely, you can now hibernate until spring, right? Not so fast. Along Colorado’s Front Range, if you want your landscape to wake up in one piece come spring, there’s one final thing to do—water. Yep, you read that right. Even when it’s cold, those thirsty plants still need your love.
Grab your hose, bundle up, and let’s talk about why fall and winter watering is as essential as pumpkin spice lattes in Boulder (but much more useful).
Colorado’s “Moisture Deficiency” is No Joke
Our winters may look magical with the occasional dusting of snow, but the truth is, the Front Range is dry. We’re basically living in a mountain desert and snow alone doesn’t cut it—unless we get a wet, deep and fluffy snowfall, most of it evaporates before the soil gets a sip. Think of it this way: If you’re parched, licking an ice cube isn’t going to help. Your plants? Same deal.
Lawns Hate Drought More Than Boomer the Pig Does
Even though your lawn has gone dormant, it’s not dead. That brownish hue is just grass taking a winter nap, but if it goes without water all winter, it might not wake up. Picture it like a snooze button—if you hit it too many times, the grass might decide, “You know what? I’m done.” Then spring arrives, and you’re left with a patchy wasteland instead of a lush lawn. Cue panic and frantic Googling about reseeding.
Pro Tips:
- Water your lawn and trees when there’s a dry stretch and the temperature is above 40°F.
- As a general rule we recommend giving your lawn approximately 1-2 inches of supplemental water per month. Ideally, this is occurs over two occurrences. In other words, 1/2 inch to 1 inch of water every two weeks. 1″ of water per 100 square feet = approximately 60 gallons.
- Be aware that newly established lawns, whether seeded or sodded, are especially susceptible to dry conditions.
- Susceptibility increases for lawns with south or west exposures.
- And yes, you out there watering in January might confuse your neighbors if they have not read this blog. It’s Ok.
Your Trees and Shrubs Are Probably Thirsty Too
Your lawn isn’t the only thing that needs a drink. Young trees, evergreens, and even shrubs depend on supplemental watering during dry fall and winter months to avoid being severely weakened or even death. Weakened plants are more susceptible to insect and disease problems and though they may appear perfectly normal come spring, as temperatures rise, their struggle becomes more visible. And by then, it may be too little to late. Just because they look tough on the outside doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling on the inside (and it has nothing to do with the pandemic:) Their roots still grow during the colder months, but access to moisture is key and ensures they’ll be ready to do their thing come spring.
Pro-Tips:
- Shrubs
- Give trees a good soak at least once a month in winter.
- For larger newly planted shrubs over 3′ we recommend applying 5 gallons, 2 times per month.
- For smaller newly planted shrubs we recommend applying 5 gallons, 1 times per month.
- For larger established shrubs over 6′ we recommend approximately 18 gallons per month.
- For smaller established shrubs we recommend 5 gallons per month.
- Trees
- As a general rule we recommend 10 gallons of water for each diameter inch of the tree, 1-2 times per month during dry conditions. For example, a two-inch diameter tree needs 20 gallons per water per occurrence. Use a ruler to measure your tree’s diameter at 6 feet above ground level.
- If using a deep-root fork or needle, insert no deeper than 8 inches into the soil. Apply water to many locations under the dripline and beyond if possible.
- Evergreens are particularly susceptible to winter dry-out!
Don’t Forget the Mulch and Tree Wrap
Mulch – Shrubs and plants need to be mulched with at least 1 inch of mulch and no more than 3 inches. This will help retain the moisture to your plants, keep the roots warm and slowly breaks down into humus that will help feed your plants.
Tree Wrap – To protect trees from fluctuating temperatures and sunscald, cover trunks with crepe paper tree wrap. Working from the bottom, wrap the trunk, overlapping layers by one-third. Stop wrapping just above the lowest branches. This is particularly important if you have a young tree or one with a thin bark like fruit trees, honey locust, and ash. Sunscald occurs most often on trees planted on west or south sides of buildings.
Does Native Edge Landscapes provide Fall and Winter watering services?
Yes! Native Edge Landscapes team members are ready to help keep your plants, trees, and lawn happy and healthy with Fall and Winter watering services. We target our watering for about every two weeks depending on weather and moisture conditions which we monitor closely throughout the seasons and can pinpoint the best times to water. We can hook up to your exterior spigots or bring our large water tank to assist with watering.
Get In Touch
To schedule a consultation or request services please call 303-245-9166, send an email to information@nativeedgelandscapes.com or Get In Touch through our website. One of our Customer Care Representatives will be happy to help.
