Above: I planted a Rudbeckia here in September that might need some water this week.
A lot of gardeners wonder whether they should water their dormant perennials and shrubs in the winter.
This question isn’t as straightforward as you might think, since every plant and every garden is a bit different. Maybe you’re gardening on a shaded north slope, maybe you’re dealing with a windy area with newly planted perennials, or maybe you live in a house with shrubs that have been there forever.
So, in order to shed some light on this age-old “should I water over the winter” question, I’ve created a checklist that you can use for your unique gardening situation:
1. How long have the plants been in the ground?
- If they’ve been in the ground for more than 2-3 years, they might be ok without supplemental water, especially if they’ve been “neglected” for more than 5-6 years and are still healthy year-round. Move to question 2 to further explore this.
- If you planted them this year, or last year, err on the side of watering. Move to question 2 to make sure you don’t drown them by overwatering.
2. How wet is the ground? Use a hand trowel to dig 4-6 inches into the ground, and use your hand to feel the soil.
- If the soil feels damp, then your plants are probably well-watered already. You can stop here, and keep checking on the plants maybe 1-2 times/month. Remember: the cold slows water evaporation from the ground (compare this to hot, dry June!).
- If the soil feels dry, then you may want to water. Use your best judgement for how much. Remember- the power of observation and reflection create the best gardeners!
- If the soil is frozen… still try to dig down a bit. Try again in the “hotter” part of the day. Use your power of observation and reflection. Are the plant roots getting moisture to keep them growing all winter? Or are they being water-logged by snow and ice melt and definitely don’t need more water?
I hope this checklist helps you decide whether or not your plants need water right now. As a gardener, you don’t have to know everything there is to know about plants and growing things.
Sarah Armanovs is the Gardens Manager at The Arboretum at Flagstaff.
