Winter Watering in Colorado

Q: I planted quite a few perennials, some shrubs and a tree this year.  Should I water them during the winter and how often?

A.  Our Colorado winters are notoriously dry so any landscape plants that have been in the ground for less than 3 years will certainly benefit from winter watering November through March.  If your plants were put in this year and especially this fall, a thorough watering every 2-3 weeks would be very helpful.  Be sure to mulch around the plant(s) to conserve water. 

For plants planted over a year ago, once a month November through March is sufficient.  Be sure the ground is not frozen before you water.  Use a screw driver pushed into the soil to check.  If it’s frozen, don’t water.  And remember, snow almost never counts.

Read our Q & As with Keith Funk answering common Colorado gardening questions here. You can also hear him on the Garden Wise Radio Show on Legends 810AM.