A moderate level of balanced fertilizer should not cause plants to break dormancy or reduce hardiness. Watering Either too much or too little water during the later part of the growing season can reduce the winter hardiness of nursery crops. Regular irrigation during the growing season is necessary for maximum growth and proper nutrient availability. If fertilizer has not been released during the summer because of a lack of water, it may become available during September rains, creating a flush of growth that will not acclimate before cold weather. Plants subjected to very dry conditions during the fall are less able to withstand severe winter conditions than those receiving reduced irrigation even if ample water is provided during early winter.
Decreased survival is linked to reduced energy storage.
Drought conditions in the fall reduce root storage. As a result, plants may not accumulate enough stored energy for bud break and shoot expansion in the spring. When you overwinter plants in the open, you must water them occasionally. You may increase plant survival if you irrigate containers before a cold period that is expected to drop temperatures low enough to freeze the growing medium. This technique is frequently used with peaches, apples, and strawberries in spring to protect flower buds from freezing.