Soil Smarts: Best Practices to Improve Soil Health
Discover simple, science-based practices that transform the way your lawn and garden grow. Join Shannon Blocker, Pottawatomie County Extension Agent, as she explores soil health through the powerful combination of physical, chemical, and biological functions collaborating in the soil beneath your feet. Learn to boost resilience, create a thriving landscape, and provide long-term soil vitality
Watering doesn't stop just because the temperatures drop. Even though many plants go dormant during winter, not all of them do. Dormant plants still rely on soil moisture to survive until spring. Trees and shrubs planted within the last two to three years are especially vulnerable to winter drought because their root systems are not fully established. Perennials with shallow root systems and anything planted in the fall need extra care and attention. Generally, watering once a month on mild winter days is enough, but with how warm our winter has been, plants that normally are dormant by now are still active, which means they will dry out faster than they would in colder weather.
Evergreens are at a greater risk of drought during the winter months because they do not go dormant. They remain active and continue to lose water through their foliage, which means they rely more heavily on soil moisture to avoid winter burn and stress. Fully established evergreens are less likely to experience winter damage than newly planted ones.
It's important to remember that snow alone is never enough moisture to meet your landscape’s needs. Take advantage of the warm, sunny days to water; it will make a significant difference in the long-term health and survival of your plants.
Winter watering - A small task with a big impact