Winter in Colorado brings crisp air, snowy days, and cozy nights indoors, but before you settle in by the fire, your landscape needs attention. Proper winter watering is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your trees, shrubs, and garden beds during the colder months. Without it, even mature plants can suffer from winter drought stress, leading to poor growth or dieback in spring.
Colorado’s semi-arid climate produces mild, dry winters with extremely low humidity, often ranging between 9% and 13%. Even snowfall offers limited moisture, since 12 inches of snow equals just 1 inch of water. Because of this, relying on snow alone isn’t enough to keep your landscape healthy.
Lifescape Colorado, the leading residential and commercial landscape design firm across Denver and the Colorado Front Range, provides expert guidance on how to care for your landscape year-round. Below is our simple, effective guide to winter watering so your plants stay healthy until spring.
Winter Watering Basics: What Every Colorado Homeowner Should Know
Here are the essential tips for watering your trees, shrubs, perennials, and lawns throughout the winter:
- Water every two weeks during dry periods when natural precipitation is low.
- Make sure air and soil temperatures are above 40°F and snow cover is minimal or absent.
- If watering with a hose, disconnect it immediately after use to prevent freezing damage.
- Pay special attention to sheltered areas (under eaves, porches, or dense canopies) that don’t receive natural snowmelt.
- Remember: Snow is not available moisture. Much of Colorado’s snowfall evaporates before melting into the soil.
- Check soil moisture by gently pulling back mulch and assessing whether the soil is dry several inches below the surface.
Consistent winter watering helps maintain root health, reduces stress, and sets the stage for strong spring growth.
Caring for Newly Planted Trees & Young Landscapes
If you’ve installed new plants within the past year, they are especially vulnerable during Colorado’s dry winter months. These young plants have not yet developed strong root systems and will require regular supplemental watering.
- Newly planted trees and shrubs need more frequent watering — typically every two weeks.
- Perennials and deciduous shrubs need water less often once dormant, usually once a month.
- Monitor soil moisture closely around young plants to prevent root damage, winter kill, or dehydration.
When in doubt, consult a landscape or irrigation professional to determine the ideal watering schedule for your specific plantings and conditions.
Watering Needle Evergreens in Winter
Mature needle evergreens, including pines, spruces, and firs, are particularly susceptible to desiccation, or drying out. These plants continue to transpire throughout the winter, pulling moisture from the soil. When the ground freezes, they must rely on water stored in their needles and stems, a limited supply in Colorado’s dry climate.
To protect needle evergreens:
- Apply a minimum of one inch of water per inch of trunk diameter.
- Most trees require approximately 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter, delivered slowly.
- Water in several locations around the root zone to ensure deep penetration.
A well-hydrated evergreen is much more likely to retain its color, resist winter burn, and flourish in spring.
Caring for Broadleaf Evergreens
Broadleaf evergreens, such as boxwoods, keep their foliage all year and therefore lose moisture through their leaves even in winter. This makes them some of the most important plants to water in your landscape.
These plants benefit from:
- Consistent winter watering every two weeks
- Mulching to retain moisture
- Wind protection in exposed areas
If not watered properly, broadleaf evergreens often show brown patches or dieback when spring arrives.
Do You Need to Water Your Lawn in Winter?
Colorado’s cool-season turf naturally goes dormant during most of the winter and generally requires little supplemental moisture. However, there are exceptions:
- South- and southeast-facing lawns dry out more quickly and may need periodic watering.
- Newly installed turf (installed in September or later) requires watering every two weeks.
- Pay special attention to areas exposed to wind, sun, or reflected heat.
Proper winter watering helps prevent root damage and keeps your lawn healthier as it greens up in spring.
Protect Your Colorado Landscape with Smart Winter Watering
Even though your landscape appears dormant in winter, your plants, trees, and lawn still need moisture to survive Colorado’s dry climate. By watering regularly, especially evergreens and newly planted landscapes, you can prevent winter damage and ensure a vibrant, healthy yard come spring.
f you’re unsure how to care for your landscape during the colder months, Lifescape Colorado is here to help. For more than 44 years, we’ve been Colorado’s trusted leader in landscape architecture, construction, and complete property care, offering sustainable, beautiful solutions that stand the test of time.
Contact us today at (303) 831-8310 or info@lifescapecolorado.com to schedule winter landscape care and protect your Colorado landscape for the year ahead.
