Winter Watering tips for Colorado

Winter Watering In Colorado

**If you have any questions about this topic or about your tree in general, don’t forget you can email the Berthoud Forestry Department at forestry@berthoud.org , or call them with questions at (970)-532-4256 and leave a voicemail. ** 

Winters in Colorado can bring some of the worst drought conditions. These drought conditions might not seem severe with cooler temperatures and the occasional dusting of snow but they can result in long periods without significant precipitation.

As noted in the October Monthly Tree Care Tip, approximately 10 inches of snow is equal to about 1 inch of rain depending on snow consistency. While the occasional light dusting of snow might appear beneficial, it does not amount to much for plants. The Berthoud Forestry Department would like to highlight the importance of winter watering in December’s Monthly Tree Care Tip.

What trees and plants need it the most? 

All plants can be damaged if their root systems dry out during winter droughts. Some plants are more susceptible than others, including:

• Recently planted trees and plants as their root systems are not robust and fully formed yet.
• Evergreen plants like conifers or other evergreen perennials. Keep in mind if the plant doesn’t drop its leaves or needles in the winter and stays green, it is still photosynthesizing in the sunlight and needs water.
• Trees in warmer areas. Plants on the south side of buildings might get more reflected sunlight which can warm and dry out soils more quickly.  
• Trees in windy areas. Wind can accelerate moisture lost from evergreen and dormant deciduous trees.  

When to winter water?

Water trees and plants when air temperatures are above 40°F. Apply water when the soil is not frozen solid.

A screwdriver test can be a good indication if soils are warm enough to water. If you can easily push a screwdriver into the soil, it is safe to water. Midday is usually the best time to apply water so it can soak into the soil before temperatures drop. If there has been no substantial snow accumulation over the month it would be good to water your landscaping.

This applies for all fall and winter months, from when irrigation systems are blown out to when they are started back up, typically November to March-April.

How to winter water? 

When winter watering, apply water to root zones slowly to allow the water to penetrate deeply into the soil. Roll out a hose to the root zone or drip zone of the plant you are watering and turn it on to a very low flow.

For trees, try to move the hose around to a couple places around the drip line of the tree to get water to as much of the root system as possible. Do not water directly on the trunk or root flare of the tree. Soaker hoses are also a good option to apply water slowly over a large area.

How much to water during the winter? 

Since most plants are dormant in the winter, you can use less water than during the growing season. On smaller trees 5-10 gallons of water should be sufficient and on larger mature trees using 20-30+ gallons is adequate. Watering once or twice a month is usually good enough for dry fall and winter months.

Mulching makes a difference!

Mulching plays and important role in tree health even through the winter. Proper mulch can help retain moisture in the soil and during the winter months proper mulch rings can also regulate soil temperatures and reduce freeze and thaw stress to roots. It is important to make sure mulch is not piled up around the base of the tree as excess mulch attracts burrowing rodents which gnaw at the bark of young trees, severely damaging them or even killing trees.

External links for more information

CSU Extension - Fall and Winter Watering of Plants and Trees