1751
Fall and
winter watering: during drought
Limited summer rainfall and water restrictions can
deplete subsurface soil moisture.
Upon digging, people may find little moisture at 8 to 12 inch
depths where most tree roots are located. Paying special attention to fall
watering is important for trees to mature buds and enter dormancy in a
healthy condition. Consider
tree watering in addition to whatever general landscape sprinkling local
water restrictions allow in fall months.
Colorado horticulture experts recommend watering
underneath the branches within the circle bounded by the drip line. Water to a depth of 12
inches. Trees should receive
ten gallons per inch of trunk diameter measured at knee height. This amount can be reduced by that
supplied by general lawn watering or if rain or snow is received. Water trees three times per month
in September. Cut back to one
or two times per month from October through March, two times monthly for
young trees and for evergreens.
Mulch within a circle bounded by the drip line to a
depth of 4 inches allowing 6 inches of space between the mulch and tree
trunk. A mulch circle of any
area will be beneficial whether it extends to the dripline or stops short
of that.
Many water application methods can be used. Consider soaker hoses, soil
needles, or soft spray nozzles.
On hard or compacted soils, soak, wait and soak again to avoid
water runoff. Be especially
careful with soil needles, also known as deep root feeders. Some people insert these well
below a 12 inch depth, placing water out of reach of tree roots. Soil needles should be inserted at
an angle to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Leave the needle in place for 3 to
5 minutes with water turned on low to moderate pressure. Water the area under the branches
in at least twelve sites for a medium sized or larger tree. Disperse water sites evenly within
the circle bounded by the dripline.
For new trees, water all four sites at least 3 feet from the trunk
(stem).
In
dry years, established shrubs will need additional amounts of winter
watering. Apply 5 gallons for
a small shrub (less than 3 feet), and 18 gallons for a large shrub (more
than 6 feet) on a monthly basis from October through March. Newly planted shrubs will require
more winter water, twice monthly using these same amounts at each
watering. Be sure to mulch
shrubs to retain moisture.
For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s).
For more information, see the following Planttalk
Colorado™ script(s).
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