Fall and Winter Watering

by Ann McKean

As summer nears its end, gradually decrease your lawn and garden watering to encourage plants to stop growing and move towards dormancy. If plants are still producing new growth which has not hardened off before freezing temps arrive, that new growth will die. Once leaves are down and plants are fully dormant, water deeply one more time before the ground freezes so the roots are protected by moisture. This provides better insulation, low stress and more stable environment in cold weather, and a much-needed moisture to evergreens which continue to transpire all winter. Remember to offer water during prolonged dry periods with no snow cover throughout the winter every two to three weeks to prevent root damage (and reduce evergreen foliage desiccation). Do this in the middle of the day only when air and soil temperatures are above 40 degrees. Make sure to be generous with evergreens and new plants, especially new trees. Your plants will be stronger, healthier, and better able to resist diseases and pests for the next season of growth.