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How to Prepare Your Heat-Stressed Landscape for Winter

Eighty years is how long it’s been since our area has been this dry. So, for most of us, these gardening conditions are a new challenge. All across Columbia we see mature trees and shrubs succumbing to the extreme conditions. What does this mean for the plants that are surviving? How much water do they need? How do we protect them going into winter months? If you have been watering your landscape throughout the summer, continue to do so until the rains return. It is important that plants go into winter with adequate moisture to carry them until Spring. If you have not watered, you will need to begin. At this stage, even mature trees and shrubs are in jeop-ardy of not surviving through the next season due to the extreme depth of dry soil.

Deep, regular watering is the best way to promote strong deep roots in trees and shrubs. A soaker hose looped around trees or strung throughout your beds is the best way to distribute water without waste. Tree Gators also work very well. If you use a sprinkler, set a small bowl or rain gauge in the area watered so you get a true measurement of the amount of water ap-plied. Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs should be watered so that the moisture penetrates to a depth of 12” Use a wooden dowel or rod to check the moisture before watering. In loose soil, 1” of water will pene-trate to the needed depth of 12”. Trees and shrubs planted in the last two years need special attention. Signs of under-watering and over-watering are often the same so check the soil before the next watering. Adding a layer of fresh mulch around plants helps maintain moisture levels longer.

Signs of Plant Stress:

  • Leaves turning color early
  • Leaves falling off early
  • Drooping, wilting leaves
  • Needles turning brown.

If plants have not received regular summer watering, and shown continued new growth, we recommend not applying fertilizer this fall. Added growth now will only expand the plant’s need for more water. The same can be said for heavy fall pruning. The added energy needed to stimulate growth and repair the cuts only adds to the plants water needs. Once early Spring arrives with regular rainfall, feed your plants well to get them back on track. If your landscape is irrigated or has been under regular watering, then continue as in years past.

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Helpful Links

Central MO Orchid Society
Missouri Botanical Gardens Powell Gardens
Grow Native
Plants of Merit
Campania
Dept of Natural Resources
Missouri Dept of Agriculture
City of Columbia
Tree Power Program
Trade A Tree Program

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