Irrigation in the Winter Months
Winter can be harsh on your outdoor landscape investment. You may look outside and think “well everything is dead, I don’t have to water.” This is perhaps the biggest mistake you can make! Even though your landscape may appear dead, it’s actually just dormant.
Mother Nature has equipped these plants with tools to survive these harsh climates. During the winter months, photosynthesis slows, respiration slows and growth stops, making your once lush, green escape, appear dead. However, what is actually happening is the plant is preparing for the climate the way it knows best. This means it still needs water, but maybe less than your normal amounts in the spring.
Set up a Watering Schedule
If you have a watering system for your landscape, we recommend setting up a 1-2x per month watering schedule for your landscape from November to April. When watering in the cooler months, try watering on days where the air temperature is above 45 degrees, even if that means watering mid-day when the temperatures are generally warmer.
What to Water
While watering you entire landscape 1-2x per month in the winter months is a good safeguard, there are some plants that will need special attention. Any planted pots, newly planted trees, shrubs, perennials and evergreens will need to be watched carefully. These plants are at the most risk and should be watered at least 2x per month.
Preparing for a Freeze
While watering your plants before a freeze may sound counterintuitive, it’s a step that can help protect them. Soil with more moisture levels absorb solar energy (and therefore warmth) better and keeps your plants warmer throughout the chilly night. After watering, be sure to cover your most delicate plants such as flowers.
Just because your landscape is dormant in the winter months, does not mean that you can be dormant on the watering! These few simple steps will ensure that your landscape comes back in the spring, as green as ever.
If you’d like to consult with our landscape service team on managing your landscape for you, contact us here.