When Should I Start Watering My Yard
The recent weather in Colorado Springs makes it seem that spring has arrived. You may be wondering if you should be watering your yard. In fact, it IS important to water your lawn, plants, and trees during the winter months (November-April)—and this is especially important when there has not been much snow. Even in their dormant state, grasses, plants and trees and their root systems need some moisture during the winter to return strong and healthy during the growing season. Additionally, in March and April, your plants and trees are developing new roots, so it is critical to ensure they are getting the proper hydration before spring and summer come.
The current warm weather makes it perfect to water your lawn, as the water is unlikely to freeze (which can damage plants). The best time to water your yard is early to mid day, when the temperature of the air and ground will be above 40 degrees, with no snow cover. This will also allow plenty of time for the water to soak in before it has the potential of freezing over night. Remember, the point of winter watering is to make certain the roots are receiving the proper hydration. Because temperatures are still dropping below freezing almost every night it is important to not turn your irrigation system on yet. This will prevent any freeze damage happening to your pipes.
So how much water do your plants need, and how do you know they received enough water? If there has not been any snow, you should water your yard twice a month between November and April. Trees need about 10 gallons of water per month for each inch in diameter of the trunk. If you have a tree that is 3” in diameter, it will need 30 gallons of water that month. Shrubs that are less than 3’ high need about 5 gallons of water a month, while shrubs that are more than 6’ high need about 18 gallons of water per month. The best way to water your trees and plants is to use a hose and slowly water the plants to allow time for it to soak in. For lawn areas, you can utilize a sprinkler connected to your hose for greater coverage. Be sure to remove the hose from the spigot once you’re done to prevent freeze damage! One trick to find out how much water the ground has received is to put out cups and water until there is 0.5” to 1” of water in the cups.
Winter watering doesn’t have to consume a lot of time, but it is important to keep your yard thriving through the spring and summer.
In Colorado, the key season for winter watering extends from mid-October to late-March, when your irrigation system is winterized. This is when the the coldest weather is common, and long dry stretches can occur – weakening plant health significantly. It is common for our weather to swing from 20ºF and snowing one day, to 60ºF and sunny the next. It is critical on warm days to get out and water your turf and plants. This will help prevent root damage and sun scalding, which impacts the whole health of your plants. Although plants may appear to be fine the next spring, when hotter temperatures come in June and July, they tend to die out. Additionally, damaged plants and turf are more susceptible to insect and disease issues. This past year, we saw higher-than-normal “ inter die-off” across Colorado Springs; without much snow or moisture on the ground, plants were weakened, and winter mites damaged significant areas of turf. Winter watering is the best way to prevent mites, disease and winter die-off from destroying your turf and plants!
New Plantings
New plantings (plants, sod, and seedings) within the past year are especially prone to winter damage because they are not fully established. Winter watering will help preserve these plants and ensure that you did not waste your money.
When to Water
Water on warm days when there have been multiple days of sunshine and the temperature has been above 40 degrees. If the ground is still frozen, water will not penetrate, and you will be left with an icy lawn, possibly causing additional damage to your plants.
Watering Guidelines
Trees: 10 gallons for each diameter inch of the tree (for example – 3” caliper tree needs 30 gallons per watering). Measure the trunk about 6 inches above the ground. Try to soak the tree slowly (think hours, not minutes, for watering time).
New Shrubs: 5 gallons, 2x/month
Established Shrubs: Small (less than 3 feet) – 5 gallons/month, Large (more than 6 ft) 18 gallons/month
Turf: 1-2 times per month depending on amount of snowfall. Water mid-day so that the water has time to soak in before freezing temperatures hit again
For further information, check out this article from Colorado State University.
