Winter Watering Tips for Denver Gardens
Winter in Denver is no excuse to neglect your garden, especially in our dry, semi-arid climate. While many plants go dormant, they still need hydration to survive and thrive once spring rolls around. Winter watering is a crucial task for keeping your trees, shrubs, lawns, and perennials healthy during those colder months. Here’s how to do it right:
Why Winter Watering is Essential in Denver
Denver’s climate is notoriously dry, and without supplemental water during the winter, plants can suffer from root damage or die off entirely. Regular watering during dry spells (30 days or more without snow) helps maintain your garden’s health and sets you up for a more vibrant spring.
How Much Water Do Your Plants Need?
Understanding how much water to give your plants is key to successful winter watering. Here’s a quick breakdown for Denver gardeners:
Trees: 10 gallons per watering for small trees, 18 gallons for medium trees, and 19 gallons for large trees. Focus on applying water around the dripline.
Shrubs: About 5 gallons per watering for large shrubs.
Lawns: Water for about 5 minutes at 4 different spots to ensure even hydration.
Perennials: Water thoroughly but ensure the soil doesn’t stay soggy.
1. Water When Temperatures Are Above 40°F
Watering Denver Garden on Warmer Winter Day
Timing is everything when it comes to winter watering. Water your garden on days when temperatures are above 40°F, and make sure to water early in the day. This gives the water time to soak into the soil before freezing temperatures return at night.
2. Pay Extra Attention to Wind-Exposed Areas
In Denver, those gusty winter winds can dry out plants quickly, especially in exposed areas. Trees, shrubs, and perennials that face strong winds will need extra water to prevent dehydration. Keep an eye on these spots and water them a bit more frequently.
3. Don’t Forget to Water Your Lawn
Even though your grass isn’t actively growing, your lawn still needs hydration to survive the winter. Watering helps prevent the grass from drying out and ensures it greens up quickly in the spring. Bonus tip: lawns that receive winter watering are less likely to develop patchy spots come warmer months.
4. Avoid Watering Snow-Covered or Icy Areas
If parts of your garden are covered in snow or ice, skip watering those spots. The snow provides some moisture as it melts, and watering over ice won’t benefit your plants. Focus on the dry, exposed areas instead.
Don’t Water Snow-Covered or Icy Areas in Your Denver Garden
5. Empty & Detach Hoses After Watering
Our pup Nori helping with watering. We had to say goodbye to her - but it’s fun to remember times like these!
After each watering session, make sure to empty and detach your hose. Store it in your garage or indoors to prevent freezing and cracking during the colder nights. This small step can save you a big headache—and replacement costs—in the spring.
Have questions about winter watering? We’re here to help! Reach out through our Contact page, and let’s make your garden grow tall, healthy, and beautiful. Happy gardening! 🌱
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Meet the Gardener
I’m Elisa Mack - a mom and Denverite who went from being a green-ish thumb to a kitchen garden fanatic simply by dedicating myself to the study of all things Colorado gardening.
Landscapers don’t design. And nurseries don’t make house calls.
We take a more full-service approach, from designing your dream garden to keeping it beautiful year-round.
And as your coach, I’ll help eliminate the guesswork through every season, no matter your level of knowledge.
