Many people don’t realize that plants can suffer from water stress in winter just as they can in summer-particularly if there is a mild winter. Excessive moisture loss in plants can cause stress, wilting, bud and shoot damage, and even plant failure.
Moisture loss can strike during periods of winter drought, or when plant roots have been disturbed by transplanting too late in winter. It also occurs when drying winds and frozen ground deprive plants of their natural moisture intake.
Most plants have some natural ability to survive the winter cold, provided their roots stay moist and the plant can still take up water. But when normal water intake through the root system is curtailed, plants can suffer. If the ground is left dry, they may not have enough moisture built up in their foliage to survive long periods without absorbing water.
Always check your plants and soil on a weekly basis, even in the winter, especially during any prolonged dry period. Make sure to keep the soil moist-but do not spray the foliage with water. Mulching is very beneficial, both to keep soil moist and to insulate the soil.
For extra protection, consider using an anti-transpirant spray. It can give plants an extra 2-6 degrees of protection, which can be enough to see them through a frost or long periods of water stress. Make sure to spray when temperatures are above freezing so that the spray will not freeze on foliage.
Don’t take winter moisture for granted. Keeping an eye on your soil will go a long way toward protecting your plants from winter damage.