S l o w d o w n watering for established trees, shrubs, ground covers, lawns, and potted plants for Fall and Winter. Once a week was appropriate in warmer temperatures, but I would water on average once every two weeks through November, and then turn off the sprinkler for December and January.
If we go 3 weeks with no substantial rain, then water beds and lawns thoroughly one time. If freezing temperatures are in the forecast, run the sprinklers the previous afternoon to add heat to the soil and fill air spaces in the soil with water to exclude the cold air.
Newly planted trees and shrubs, newly potted plants, and winter annual flowers and vegetables in active growth will need more regular watering, and may be particularly sensitive to a cold, low-humidity dry norther. If there are zero clouds in the sky, and you are licking your lips, and there is a stiff breeze blowing, that dry breeze can necessitate watering despite the cool/cold temperatures.
Slowing down watering in Fall will slow metabolism in your trees, shrubs, groundcovers, lawns, and potted plants, and this makes them more tolerant of a freeze. Also, excessive frequency of lawn watering in Winter makes grass more susceptible to Take All Root Rot fungus. So, use appropriate watering as a sound gardening tool.
-James Gill
6 Comments on “James’ Watering Recommendations for Fall and Winter”
Thank you for the reminders!
I’m going to plant some Barbados seeds in a pot to get started. How often should I water them, or should I hold onto them until spring and plant in the flower bed? If I should wait till spring how should I take care of the seeds until then?
Store seeds in a dry spot inside until spring. Soak in water overnight and plant in good potting mix.
Hello. My 4 year old Celeste fig survived the Deep Freeze in Feb and produced a handful of tiny figs in the spring. The new leaves were also small and were very deformed. Later it did put out new leaves that were normal in size and shape. But all the branches turned whitish gray shortly after the freeze and have remained that way. Some have rotted at the very tip ends and snap off easily. Is this tree likely to recover fully? Thank you for your advice.
If freeze injury is your only problem, then yes it should recover. There is an article in the latest Texas Gardener magazine showing photos of a fig much further north, frozen to the ground, cut back and re-sprouting with healthy new growth from the ground.
Thank you!
Andrea Mitchell