Water plants. Many areas of the Rocky Mountain region suffer from sparse snow cover, low soil moisture and low humidity during the winter months. These dry conditions can severely weaken plant root systems. The damage won't be evident until late spring or summer when plants die or become susceptible to disease or insect problems.
Woody plants —
trees and
shrubs — have relatively shallow root systems and are most susceptible to winter drought damage (especially evergreens), as are south- and west-facing lawns, plants near south- and west-facing foundations or walls, and any newly installed (within one year) plants.
Follow these tips to ensure your plants have a great start to a healthy new year:
- Water plants only when the air and soil temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no snow cover.
- For newly planted or young trees, use a soil needle or deep-root fork to apply water. Insert it into the soil about 8 inches deep, about halfway between the trunk and several feet beyond the drip line (the tips of the outermost branches), working your way around the entire tree. For large, established trees, a sprinkler is more efficient.
- Apply 10 gallons of water per inch of tree diameter. For example, a 3-inch-diameter tree would need 30 gallons. Water once a month or as conditions dictate.
- Newly planted shrubs need 5 gallons of water twice a month.
- Small, established shrubs need 5 gallons per month.
- Large (over 6 feet), established shrubs need 18 gallons of water a month.
- No one wants to waste water, so keep in mind that the amount of water recommended here is a total volume — add water only to supplement natural precipitation.