Do you need to water your plants in the winter, too?

Many people are a bit unsure about how to provide water in the winter.

People often assume that the soil is wet enough, or that this isn't necessary because it's too cold.

Still, it may be necessary to water the plants even in winter

Plants that are already well-established often don't need extra water in the winter. Usually, there has been enough rain in the fall. In addition, most deciduous plants are dormant and use much less water.

Evergreen and winter-flowering plants

If there has been little rain in the fall, it may still be a good idea to water your plants more often in the winter—especially when temperatures are relatively high. This is particularly true for evergreen plants and plants that bloom in the winter or early spring. These plants continue to use (a lot of) energy even in winter and therefore need sufficient nutrients and water.

New Plantings

When planting new plants, it's always important to water them generously—even in winter!

It's best to do this during the day and not when there's a frost.

If there is (night) frost, do not allow water to remain in the planting hole. If there is a severe frost shortly after planting, wait to water until daytime temperatures no longer drop below freezing.

In most cases, watering generously when planting is sufficient during the winter. However, if temperatures are relatively high and/or there is a prolonged dry spell, it may be wise to repeat this after one or two weeks. If you notice that the plant is forming new (leaf) buds or beginning to sprout, then this is definitely necessary.