Just as we take shelter when the weather turns colder, so do your plants. This time of year, plants store most of their nutrients in their roots and find shelter in the ground. We can support this transition to help plants thrive during the entire winter season.
Also, it is time to give your irrigation system a rest. To avoid damage to your irrigation system we recommend setting it to the OFF position. Your next step will be to wait for a warm day to water deeply one more time and then take steps to winterize your irrigation system.
Follow this advice to ensure landscape success:
Turn off your irrigation system.
- If your irrigation system is attached to an outdoor spigot, you should disconnect it and cover your hose bib using a faucet cover.
- If you have a below-ground irrigation system, locate your shut-off valve (often hidden in a 3” PVC pipe; often with a white or yellow cap, as shown in the photo). Turn it to the right to shut it off. Be careful when turning so you do not break the valve.
- Drain the water from all pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads. Learn more about protecting your irrigation system here.
- It’s important to make sure your landscape stays healthy in the winter during times of drought. If we don’t get snow or rain, find a warm day once a month and deeply water your plants. After watering, set your system to the OFF position again.
How much should I water this November?
- 1-2 more times this month
- Skip watering if it rains or snows
- Give individual trees 100 gallons to a depth of 24 inches at least one time this month
- Water turf for 7-10 minutes, to a depth of ½ inch”
- Your outdoor water usage should be 80% less than in the summer season
How can I keep my landscape healthy this winter?
Turf
- Mow your lawn to 2-2.5 inches tall. Grass left too long over the winter can develop brown patches.
- Aerate next time it is warm. Aerating your lawn will give it a chance to breathe before the grass goes completely dormant. This also provides relief from any compaction that has built up during the warmer months.
- Rake or blow off the leaves that have fallen on your lawn. Leaves that are left on the lawn could become moldy, which invites disease.
- Top dress with compost. Compost acts as a fertilizer, adds moisture retention capacity and improves overall turf health.
Trees
- Apply a thin layer of compost, about ½ inch, to provide nutrients.
- Add mulch away from the trunk base, about 2 inches thick. Mulch helps maintain your ground at a constant temperature and helps retain moisture.
- Water your trees thoroughly once a month, if needed, to support winter hardiness. Withholding water will not help the tree acclimate to winter.
Shrubs
- Leave your leaves. Every autumn, leaves fall to the ground, sheltering the soil and beneficial organisms, returning organic matter back to the ground, and perpetuating the nutrient cycling essential for good plant health. This year, think about leaving those leaves in your garden by tucking them in around your shrubs. When we allow leaves to follow their natural life cycle, we can enjoy a colorful tapestry on our landscape as well as all the benefits provided by an organic mulch.
How do I avoid irrigation and other plumbing system damage? To avoid costly repairs, we recommend that homeowners take the following steps:
- Find the master shutoff valve
The master shutoff valve turns off the water to the entire house. If you have one, learn its location. This could be critical if a pipe bursts. Need an emergency turn-off? Call 842-WATR and select Option 1. - Insulate pipes and faucets in unheated areas
Wrap exposed water pipes in unheated areas (such as a garage, basement, crawl space or space beneath your mobile home) with insulation or heat tape. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. - Seal off access doors, air vents and cracks
Winter winds whistling through overlooked openings can quickly freeze exposed water pipes. DO NOT plug air vents used by your furnace or water heater.
