Are you a big fan of fall? I mean, who isn’t?! There’s always something going on in the garden during autumn! Beautiful golden-brown leaves are starting to fall from the trees, baskets are being filled with delicious crops, and planting is still on the go.
That’s the beauty of fall, filled with all kinds of different tasks that you’ll need to complete before winter arrives! But is there anything else you should be doing? Yes, there’s one more thing you’ll need to do during fall – watering your plants!
I had no idea how important it is to continue watering in the autumn season until a few years ago. My plants were doing great all season until the colder months came. I started to notice that they were becoming weak and unhealthy!
As I searched for what could be wrong, I realized that I wasn’t watering my plants as much as I should. I started researching more and more until I found all the answers I needed. Every plant has different needs, but watering is common among them all!
Whether you’re growing trees, shrubs, or other plants, they will need a good soak of water to protect them during the winter and keep them healthy until spring comes. Now I will guide you through the watering schedule you’ll need this fall for the best results!
Your Perennials, Trees, And Shrubs Will Benefit A Lot From This Watering Schedule
There’s still plenty of time until winter arrives, and that’s why you’ll need to keep watering your plants. That’s not the only reason: watering is also great for supporting your plants’ transition between seasons!
Plants are still developing roots, so they will need your help to encourage their growth before the ground freezes. What’s the best way to do that other than watering them!
First, let’s see how much you should water the big boys in your garden – trees! You’ll need to water them at least two to three times a month during fall.
As for shrubs, you can water them deeply every three to four days. Use your garden hose and soak each shrub for twenty minutes. But if where you live is known for lots of rainy days in the autumn, you can reduce it a little bit!
Your adorable perennials need to be watered one or two times a week. Just make sure not to wet their leaves because it can cause a dangerous fungal disease called powdery mildew!
What About Annuals And Potted Plants?
Skipping watering annuals or potted plants is the wrong move! They will also need water to thrive, but with a bit of a different watering schedule than the rest of the plants.
You should water them lightly every few days. If your potted plants get overwatered, it can damage their roots a lot! That’s why you’ll need to be careful.
Stop Watering Your Plants At This Time
The best time to stop watering is when the soil freezes and temperatures fall below 40°F! This rule applies to every plant, including trees and shrubs.
The ground won’t be able to absorb water once the soil starts to freeze! The only thing you can do for your plants is put down a few layers of mulch, which will protect them from freezing.
Watering your plants before winter arrives will get you more stunning blooms in the spring. Even if your plants now look all wilted and sad without blooms, there’s nothing to worry about because, with a good soak of water, they will come back next season even stronger and better.
Now all that is left for you to do is continue watering your plants and enjoy the autumn days in your garden. One more thing before you go. Don’t forget to stop watering once the first frost hits your yard!
Good luck!