Knowledgebase
Watering in Denver #923035
Asked December 22, 2025, 2:42 PM EST
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out to Ask Extension with your watering question!
Yes, your new plants and shrubs will need supplemental water through these unseasonably warm December days.
Here is more information about fall and winter watering:
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/fall-and-winter-watering-of-plants-and-trees/
You can apply water anytime the temperatures are above 40 degrees and there is no snow cover or ice present. A good rule of thumb for most new establishing plants is if the plant was a 1 gallon size, then give it 1 gallon of water, if the plant was in a 5 gallon pot, then give it 5 gallons of water, etc. When the soil dries out, do it again if conditions allow.
Here's more information:
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1719-watering/
I hope this helps,
Dawn
You are welcome, thanks for reaching out. Good luck with your plants.