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Plants Without Adequate Water For Winter
7/12/2008
Linda Langelo
Horticulture
Program Coordinator
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
Area |
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Before the soil freezes and the damaging winds with the cold
temperatures of winter take hold, irrigate the top 6 to eighteen inches of the
soil surface. Starting the landscape plants out for the winter season out of a
drought stressed state helps the plants go into their dormancy in a healthier
state. If conditions are excessively dry in the fall, this can interfere with
the normal process of their dormancy and predispose them to winter
injury.
Think of it this way. Have you ever been dehydrated? Do you
loose your vigor and physical strength? In a plant without the proper amount of
water the metabolic activity slows. Water plays an important role in the
survival of a healthy plant by keeping biochemical and chemical processes of
plant metabolism functioning. Water transports minerals through the soil to the
roots. Within a plant, water is a solvent for minerals and dissolved sugars
transported throughout.
When a plant does not receive adequate water
this slows the process of photosynthesis. Less photosynthesis means less energy
and less in the production of sugars and starches for the plant to
use.Additionally, water is a cooling mechanism that allows plants to maintain
an appropriate temperature for the metabolic process to occur.
During
the dry periods in January, February and March give the landscape plants some
additional moisture especially when the there is no snow. Any trees or shrubs
in open, windy sites need additional water to help prevent desiccation.
Desiccation occurs during sunny, windy, dry days when the leaves loose their
water faster than it can be replaced by the roots when they are in frozen
soil.
Any plant that is newly established is more susceptible to winter
drought whether it is a tree, shrub, herbaceous perennial or turf grass.
Desiccation in evergreens shows as reddish-brown color of the needles in late
winter. In other plants the winter damage may not show up until early
summer.
Water when the soil and air temperatures are both above 40
degrees. This will give the roots a chance to utilize the water before the soil
freezes again at night. Be sure that water is applied to the root zone area.
For trees this is by the tips of the branches and not at trunk of the
tree.
Mulching around the roots of your plants can help conserve water
loss and winter damage. Applying a 2-inch layer of mulch reduces water loss as
well as maintains uniform soil moisture. Mulching can mediate the freezing and
thawing cycles of the soil. The proper time to apply the mulch is after there
have been several killing frosts. Types of mulch can range from pine bark, wood
chips, pine needles, evergreen pine boughs, and straw or alfalfa hay. Smaller
sizes of wood chips need to be used in more protected sites and not open
landscape beds. The high wind velocity on the eastern plains will carry the
wood chips to another location.
By using these techniques of watering
and mulching, all your landscape plants can survive the winter in a healthier
state. For additional information or if you have any questions, please feel
free to call or visit your local extension office. We will be happy to assist
you in keeping your landscape healthy through the winter. |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
7/17/2008 |
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