#ProPlantTips, Landscape and Garden Design, Winter Care

#ProPlantTips for Care: The Importance of Winter Watering!

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

Gardening doesn't end with summer's warmth! Your landscape still needs your attention even when the temperatures drop. So while you're dreaming of spring, don't forget an important part of garden maintenance even when the temperatures drop and plants are sleeping.

Usually, Ma Nature provides everything your garden needs. Once winter's snows arrive, that white blanket provides moisture and insulation. For gardeners in areas where the ground freezes all winter and can enjoy snow cover all winter - watering may not be necessary. However, it shouldn't be far from your mind either.

Sometimes there's no white Christmas, and plants are left gasping, even when dormant. Unexpected warm spells add to the troublesome temperamental nature of mother nature in the winter months!

Winter Watering - Why it's Important
When to Water
How to Water
Combating Windburn
Combating Frost Crack
Precautions

Winter Watering - Why it's Important:

Dormant plants may not be growing above ground, but new root formation continues below throughout Autumn and even during mild winters. The fall is excellent for initiating new roots and getting your plants a jump start on spring.

Keeping up with watering in winter is important for:

Newly installed plant material their first year in the ground
Lighter, sandier soils
When growing in more arid climates
Experienced drought or dry conditions before winter
Higher elevations

For Evergreens, remember these plants transpire water when temperatures are above freezing, losing moisture through the foliage, with no soil moisture to replace it with. So it's important for you to provide it to keep your plants healthy year-round!

Timing is Everything

Fall and winter watering should be done if the ground is dry and not frozen. Without moisture at the root zone, plants suffer. If it's been dry and unseasonably warm and you know a freeze is on the way… water!

Water plants any time in the winter when:

There's no snow cover
Temperatures are above freezing for a time
There's been no rainfall or snowfall for a week
Been less than 2" of rain or snow for a week or two
New plants that were installed that fall
Evergreen trees that constantly receive the brunt of the cold, dry northern winter winds

Your plants eventually use less water when dormant, so depending upon your soil type and these other factors above, watering may only be needed once a month.

Best Watering Practices

Hook up your hose and water at the root zone only, soaking it thoroughly. Simply run the hose open about half speed soaking the entire root system, letting the water soak in deep.

Often it's recommended to turn off the water once it has pooled, let it soak in, and then water until it pools once more, and then repeat a couple more times until the entire area is fully saturated but not waterlogged. You can find out more about proper watering practices and Finger Test watering in our Garden Blog.

Winter Windburn - The Arch-Nemesis of Evergreens

Windburn (aka: sunburn/winter burn) occurs on Evergreens and on Broadleaved Evergreens when they dry out in winter or are planted where they are exposed to cold drying wind. The effects may not show up immediately; it may take until spring for the discoloration to show up with brown or damaged foliage on one side of the plant.

Any tree or shrub that's high on a hilltop, exposed to constant wind (windbreaks and shelterbelts), or located in exposed areas with no protection is susceptible.

Making sure the soil is moist before it freezes in fall, not letting them go into winter dry, is the first step in averting damage. If your plants or your location are particularly susceptible, you can use an anti-desiccant - a spray that coats the foliage and keeps them from drying out - preventing windburn.

Frost Crack - The Arch-Nemesis of Deciduous Plants

Often affecting Hardwood trees, Frost Crack occurs when the inner and outer tissues in the trunk expand and contract at different rates when subjected to drastic temperatures changes.

After a sunny, unseasonably warm day and the temperatures drop to freezing at night, cracks are caused by moisture rapidly expanding within the tree's xylem and phloem, causing a split to occur the length of the trunk.

Frost Crack Affects Trees that Are:

Situated in open, exposed, isolated & in full sun exposures.
Tree planted in heavy clay & soggy soils
Been severely pruned
Improper fertilizer timing when late growth hasn't "hardened off"
Recovering from summer drought followed by excessive water in the fall

Prevent frost crack in deciduous trees by not overwatering and leaving tree roots in soggy soil before a significant freeze. Stop fertilizer in July so new growth has had time to be ready for the cold and don't prune too severely whenever possible.

There are tree trunk wraps available that are white or light-colored, reflecting the bright sun and help prevent frost crack from occurring. Do not use black drain tile or black or dark-colored trunk protectors as they heat up until the sun drops and creates cracking.

While Frost Crack doesn't spell instant death, it does mar your tree and can lead to future issues if not healed or treated by an Arborist. Insects and diseases can enter the tree's insides easily through these cracks if left untreated.

Last But Not Least:

When you are done watering, you will need to drain your hose and turn off the faucet in your basement to prevent costly damage. Never use your underground sprinklers or drip irrigation in winter. You also should have mulched your plants for the winter.

Just a small amount of forethought and effort ensures your tree and shrub's survivability during the toughest parts of the season. With some adequate moisture, you will be able to help your plants through the bleak winter months for a colorful spring!

Let NatureHills.com help you plan your garden, even in the bleak winter months, and help keep your landscape looking its best all year long!

Learn about the Top 5 Winter Interest Plants, so your winter garden is just as beautiful as the rest of the year!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do gardeners adjust their watering routines when temperatures drop in winter?

During winter, gardeners should scale back watering but not stop entirely, aiming for roughly once a month depending on soil type, climate, and whether plants are newly installed or evergreen. Water only when the ground is not frozen, temperatures are above freezing, and there has been less than 2 inches of rain or snowfall over the past week or two. Focus water directly at the root zone with a thorough, slow soak rather than light surface watering. If a hard freeze is in the forecast and conditions have been dry, water your plants beforehand to help protect roots and reduce stress.

Do hydrangeas need more water during dry winter spells?

Hydrangeas, like all dormant plants, still benefit from supplemental watering during dry winter spells, particularly in their first year in the ground. If your area has received less than 2 inches of rain or snow over a week or two, it is time to water. Choose a day when temperatures are above freezing, and soak the root zone thoroughly with a hose. Check soil moisture monthly through winter and water as needed to keep your hydrangeas healthy heading into spring.

How often should hydrangeas planted in the ground be watered during winter?

Hydrangeas planted in the ground generally need watering about once a month during winter, but only when the ground is not frozen and temperatures are temporarily above freezing. If your area has received less than 2 inches of rain or snow over a week or two, that is your signal to water. Focus the water at the root zone, soaking it thoroughly, and always water earlier in the day so moisture can absorb before nighttime temperatures drop.

Why are my hydrangea leaves turning brown in winter and can improper watering cause it?

Brown hydrangea leaves in winter are most commonly caused by windburn, where cold, dry winds pull moisture from the foliage faster than roots can replace it, especially in zones 4 through 6. Improper watering absolutely contributes to the problem, since hydrangeas heading into winter with dry root zones are far more vulnerable to this kind of damage. If your area has gone more than a week without at least 2 inches of rain or snow and temperatures are above freezing, water deeply at the root zone to keep soil moisture consistent. Applying a layer of mulch around the base will also help retain that moisture and insulate roots through the coldest months.

What is the best time of day to water trees, shrubs, and garden beds in winter?

The best time to water trees, shrubs, and garden beds in winter is midday, when temperatures are at their warmest and above freezing. This gives water time to soak into the root zone before nighttime temperatures drop, reducing the risk of surface ice forming around your plants. Avoid watering in the early morning or evening when freezing temperatures are more likely. Check that the soil is not frozen before you begin, and water slowly and deeply at the root zone to ensure moisture reaches where it matters most.

How can I tell if my garden soil is too frozen to absorb water safely?

If the ground is frozen solid, water will not penetrate to the root zone and will simply run off or pool on the surface, potentially causing ice buildup that can damage plants. A simple test is to push a screwdriver or garden stake several inches into the soil. If it slides in without much resistance, the ground is workable and watering is appropriate. Wait for a day when temperatures rise above freezing, water thoroughly at the root zone, and aim to finish before temperatures drop again in the evening.

Should newly planted trees and shrubs be watered more frequently during winter dry spells?

Yes, newly planted trees and shrubs require extra attention during winter dry spells, especially during their first year in the ground when root systems are still becoming established. Unlike mature plants that may only need watering once a month during dormancy, new plantings are more vulnerable to moisture stress and should be watered whenever there has been less than 2 inches of rain or snowfall over a week or two. Water directly at the root zone during periods when temperatures are above freezing and there is no snow cover, soaking the soil thoroughly to support continued root development through winter.

How much water do evergreens need in winter compared to deciduous trees and shrubs?

Evergreens require more consistent winter watering than deciduous plants because they continue to transpire moisture through their foliage whenever temperatures rise above freezing, even while dormant. Deciduous trees and shrubs, having dropped their leaves, lose far less moisture and can often get by with natural precipitation alone in most climates. As a general rule, if there has been less than 2 inches of rain or snowfall over a week or two, evergreens should be watered at the root zone until thoroughly soaked. Check soil moisture monthly throughout winter and water during mild spells when temperatures are above freezing, especially for evergreens exposed to cold, dry northern winds.

How do I know if my established shrubs are getting enough water during winter dormancy?

Even during dormancy, established shrubs need attention if there has been less than 2 inches of rain or snowfall over a week or two, temperatures have been unseasonably warm, or there is no snow cover providing natural moisture and insulation. Check the soil at the root zone by feeling a few inches below the surface; if it is dry and the ground is not frozen, your shrubs need water. In winter, established shrubs typically require watering only about once a month depending on your soil type, climate, and conditions. If dry conditions are present and a freeze is in the forecast, water thoroughly at the root zone before temperatures drop to protect your plants through the cold.

Can overwatering or underwatering in winter cause long term damage to trees and shrubs?

Yes, both extremes can cause lasting harm to trees and shrubs. Underwatering during dry winters stresses root systems and leaves evergreens vulnerable to windburn and desiccation, since they continue losing moisture through their foliage whenever temperatures climb above freezing. Overwatering in frozen or poorly drained soils can suffocate roots and promote rot. Aim to water deeply at the root zone once a month during winter dry spells, only when temperatures are above freezing and no snow cover or rainfall of at least 2 inches has occurred in the past week or two.