Plants still need water in the winter

By G. Owen Yost

Plants here often die during the winter, but we just don?t notice it. Of course, a plant without leaves in winter probably is not dead, it?s might just be dormant. Its roots, however, are very active in this climate if they are getting enough water.

Plant loss in the winter is more commonly caused by a lack of water than by cold temperatures. If properly cared for, native or well-adapted plants can make it through the coldest of Denton weather. Plants may be native to this area, or incredibly adaptable, but there?s just no way any of them can live without water.

This winter might be wetter than last year ? maybe not. In the event, however, that the winter rains aren?t quite what we want, you?re looking at doing a bit of supplemental watering. Of course, if your plants are native to Texas, less water will be required.

Even native, dormant plants need moisture to keep up the physiological and biochemical changes that make them able to handle the winter weather. The rule of thumb is to water thoroughly once every 2 to 3 weeks through the fall and winter months. Of course, if there?s a good, soaking rain, count it as a watering. When you have to water with a sprinkler, do it in a series, making each sprinkling brief to prevent wasteful run-off; 15 or 20 minutes at most. About mid February, resume your regular watering schedule.

It may look like nothing is really happening in the landscape. However, plants are busy producing high concentrations of dissolved sugars, amino acids and other soluble organic molecules to stay resilient during freezing temperatures ? almost all this activity is in the plant?s roots. A high concentration of chemically bound water is essential for these processes to occur. This may seem unnecessarily detailed and scientific, but all we really need to know is that regular watering in winter is one way to assure that roots won?t dry out and die.

Up north, the plants have to deal with frozen groundwater, which is not the case here. Here, roots continue growing through the unfrozen soil.

For those of us in this area who have planted young plants or bulbs within the past few years, it is essential that we keep them well watered when the fall and winter weather is dry. This is when a lot of root growth occurs (since the ground isn?t frozen). Prolonged dryness from fall through late winter will result in weak roots, which translate into slow growth and a poor showing of flowers the following spring. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch helps immensely, acting sort of like insulation. (I just use brown, shredded leaves, which are, of course, free).

Don?t worry too much, however. Insufficient moisture is a problem that?s easily remedied. Just remember that your landscape is a living thing all year ?round. If we get regular, soaking rains this winter ? great. If not, give your garden a touch of extra care in the form of water. Come springtime it will reward you with healthy, strong and growing plants, while you just sit back and relax.

Owen Yost is an area landscape architect specializing in designing low-maintenance landscapes while incorporating native plants with hardscape. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Keep Denton Beautiful and the Native Plant Society of Texas. His Denton office is at 4516 Coyote Point; call 940-382-2099 or 940-383-9655 or e-mail him at Yost87@charter.net