How close to a freeze should the lawn and garden be watered? - Ask Extension
I'm wondering about monthly winter watering when a freeze is expected. I offer two quotes from articles found online:"Making sure your perennials stay...
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How close to a freeze should the lawn and garden be watered? #161560
Asked December 02, 2013, 7:42 AM EST
I'm wondering about monthly winter watering when a freeze is expected. I offer two quotes from articles found online:
"Making sure your perennials stay well watered until the ground freezes is important..."
"Water perennials deeply before a hard freeze is expected. This watering will protect roots which may be exposed to cold air pockets in the soil and will help prevent plant tissue dehydration from cold, dry winds."
Today it is forecast to be in the 50s, with a low of 34 degrees F overnight. I am planning to water some burning bushes this morning when the temp is above 40.
I wanted to do it yesterday, but found my nozzle sprayer for my hose had cracked, either from freezing (it is plastic) or perhaps I dropped it with the hose. I was able to water the lawn and flower bed, but could not reach the burning bushes without the sprayer nozzle. I'll be buying one to use this morning.
Tomorrow the forecast is for a high of only 37 degrees and a low of 6. The next 2 days the forecast is for highs in the teens and one degree and minus one degree overnight with light snow (1 to 2 inches).
My question is, it seems to me that watering this close before such a freeze would not be good. That it would contribute to heaving? It feels counter intuitive to me to water if it is going to freeze. What do you say? It seems to me that you should wait to water until you have several to many days of above freezing, at least 40ish weather, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen for awhile.
I will water today and hope for the best. I won't have your answer by then, but I know this will repeat over the winter, so am asking for the next time. Thank you.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
The items you quoted do not refer to the time right before a freeze is about to occur. You are right, watering right before a freeze could certainly contribute to frost heaving.
What I believe the quotes to mean is that, in the absence of snowmelt or rainfall, you should water plants well in the fall, as needed, so that by the time the hard freezes occur, roots are well irrigated.
In our climate, we often have warm fall and even winter weather. Watering can also be conducted during these times. You're right several days above 40's would be best, so the water has time to sink into the soil and be absorbed by roots.
What I believe the quotes to mean is that, in the absence of snowmelt or rainfall, you should water plants well in the fall, as needed, so that by the time the hard freezes occur, roots are well irrigated.
In our climate, we often have warm fall and even winter weather. Watering can also be conducted during these times. You're right several days above 40's would be best, so the water has time to sink into the soil and be absorbed by roots.
Thank you, Mary. I got delayed and just got home from buying a new nozzle, so you caught me in time before I watered. Thank you very much for being so fast to reply. I am on Mountain time so it is still morning here.
I hope there is enough time between the freeze and the watering I did yesterday morning. Yesterday the forecast was not as bad. It must have changed suddenly, or I completely missed it.
It's in the 60s now so that will help, (I hope).
The articles online are often so unclear. They assume the reader knows a lot. The 2nd quote sounds like you should water right before a freeze.
I am trying to be sure I water every 3 or 4 weeks during the winter, and this time the schedule hit right at the coldest weather.
I hope there is enough time between the freeze and the watering I did yesterday morning. Yesterday the forecast was not as bad. It must have changed suddenly, or I completely missed it.
It's in the 60s now so that will help, (I hope).
The articles online are often so unclear. They assume the reader knows a lot. The 2nd quote sounds like you should water right before a freeze.
I am trying to be sure I water every 3 or 4 weeks during the winter, and this time the schedule hit right at the coldest weather.
Sounds like you are on the right track!
Good luck!
Good luck!
