Most woody plants with shallow root systems require supplemental watering during extended dry fall and winter periods. Also included are evergreen trees such as Colorado blue spruce. Evergreen shrubs, particularly those growing near a house, may suffer root-system damage during dry spells. Lawn grasses also are prone to winter damage. Newly established lawns, whether seed or sod, are especially susceptible to damage in dry fall and winter weather.
Susceptibility increases for lawns with south or west exposures.
Watering Guidelines Water only when air temperatures are above freezing and the soil is not frozen. Apply water early in the day so it will have time to soak in before possible freezing occurs during the night. If water freezes around the base of a tree or shrub, it can damage the bark. Heavy coatings of ice on turfgrasses can cause suffocation or result in matting of the grass. The majority of absorbing roots are in this area.