Once the irrigation gets turned off and the sprinklers get blown out, remember to water your plants can be a challenge. Fortunately, once the temperatures have dropped you won’t need to water nearly as often. Here are a few tips for when and how to water your plants once “winter” arrives.
Your desert plants will enter a “dormant” period over the winter and won’t need as much care as they do during the growing season. If it’s dry, you’ll be able to cut back to every 4-6 weeks for cacti and every 2-4 weeks for native trees. Water in the morning so that the plant as time to absorb the water before any chance of a freeze.
Test your soil’s moisture before you water. If the soil already feels damp, don’t add any water. Root rot can become an issue with overwatering in the winter. You’ll know if your plant is feeling thirsty if the stems or leaves look wrinkled.
Don’t water if it’s expected to freeze or snow. This can actually do more damage to your plant and especially its roots. If you have potted plants outside and expect a freeze or hard frost move them indoors, even into a garage with a heater will be better than nothing.
Adding a rain gauge to your backyard can help as well. Knowing how much water is in the soil will allow you to get a better feel for when and how much to water your plants in the winter.