When the leaves fall and the weather turns cold it can be hard to think about pulling out the watering hose, however Colorado often experiences dry winters which can leave your lawn, trees, and shrubs susceptible to damage and death.
Many people believe that the cold is your landscape’s biggest threat, but often it’s dehydration that kills your landscape especially if they are already stressed after the tight watering restrictions from the summer.
The following guide will provide you with a few tips and tricks for winter watering and ensure that you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and healthy landscape in the spring:
- Water only when the air and soil temperature are above 40 degrees with no snow cover.
- Apply water midday to allow it to soak in completely before freezing temperatures settle in at night.
- Water more frequently in south and west facing areas and windy areas prone to drying.
- Lawns and warm exposure areas are more prone to mites. Providing plenty of water is the best treatment for turf damage.
- Monitor the snow fall and extended dry spells. Water plants one to two times per month.
- Use sprinklers, deep-root fork needle, soaker hose, or a soft spray wand for deep watering.
- Water trees all around the natural drip line at a rate of 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter.
More information and tips can be found at Colorado State University’s Extension website on Colorado winter watering.
Ultimately, investing in professional landscape services with a landscape management company can be the best option for maintaining and protecting your landscape throughout the winter season. Contact LID Landscapes for professional and knowledgeable services regarding your winter landscape needs.
