Yes, in the absence of any rainfall, you should continue to water them occasionally in the winter (but probably not as often as every few days). One GOOD soaking per week is adequate.

Normally in the South (like NC), we do get adequate rainfall in the winter (starting in November) ... so just water them if you don't get rain.

Fall is actually supposed to be an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs in many zones. I too tend to plant in the Spring (mostly by habit) but am learning to take advantage of the Fall (just planted some China Girl Holly and a M. grandiflora). It depends on your winter precip. My winters are normally wet, but autumn can be dry. If you enter a drier period, water (Fall or Winter). I agree with the above poster, a deep watering once a week should be sufficient.PS. Be sure to MULCH! Good Luck.

I would not so much water to a set schedule - as much easier as it is - as after checking to see if the soil of the root ball is dry or not, when you poke a finger into it (a pointed dowel works also), to a depth of 2", or to your second knuckle. If it is dry, then soak the root ball well, if moist/damp, then wait and check in a few days. If it has rained, enough to soak into the ground to a goodly depth, then you can wait a bit longer - but don't assume that several little rains will add up to one soaking rain - check the soil moisture levels. As long as the ground is not frozen, the roots will grow, if only a little bit, on warm days, and will take off come the longer, warmer days of spring.

Thanks. That's kind of what I thought but it's nice to be sure.

An occasional deep watering is better than a lot of shallow watering. You just want to be sure to water them deeply before the ground freezes. Up here in NYS that's by thanksgiving.