Winter Watering Service in Colorado
Colorado's dry winters kill more trees than cold temperatures. Professional winter watering prevents desiccation damage to evergreens, newly planted trees, and established landscapes across Douglas County.
Dry Winters Kill More Trees Than Cold
Most people assume Colorado winters are wet. In reality, the months between November and March often deliver less than 2 inches of total precipitation along the Front Range -- and much of that sublimates before it reaches root zones. Trees and shrubs that entered dormancy already stressed from summer drought can die over winter from simple dehydration.
Winter desiccation occurs when evergreen trees and shrubs continue to lose moisture through their needles and leaves during warm, dry, windy winter days while their roots cannot absorb replacement moisture from frozen or bone-dry soil. The result is brown, brittle foliage that appears in late winter or early spring -- damage that occurred weeks or months before it became visible. By the time you see it, it's too late.
Douglas County is particularly vulnerable to winter desiccation. The Palmer Divide creates a micro-climate where Chinook winds can push temperatures into the 50s and 60s during January and February, accelerating moisture loss while the ground remains frozen below the surface. Newly planted trees (less than 3 years in the ground) and all evergreen species -- including Colorado blue spruce, Austrian pine, Ponderosa pine, and juniper -- are at highest risk.
JLS Landscape & Sprinkler provides professional winter watering service throughout Douglas County and the Denver Metro area. We monitor weather conditions and apply deep watering during warm, snow-free periods between November and March when soil temperatures allow water infiltration. This proactive service protects your landscape investment from a threat that most property owners don't recognize until the damage is done.
2025-2026 winter outlook: Colorado's ongoing drought pattern and below-average snowpack make winter watering especially critical this season. Properties that skipped winter watering last year are already seeing stressed and declining trees. Call 303-791-9121 to add winter watering to your property's care plan.
How Winter Watering Works
Winter watering is not simply turning on a hose. It requires timing, technique, and an understanding of Colorado's winter soil conditions.
- Weather monitoring: We track temperature, snowpack, wind, and soil moisture to identify optimal watering windows when soil is unfrozen and can absorb water
- Deep root watering: Slow, deep application directly over root zones using soaker methods -- not overhead sprinklers that freeze on contact
- Evergreen priority: Spruce, pine, juniper, and arborvitae receive priority treatment because they lose moisture continuously through winter
- New plantings: Trees and shrubs planted within the last 3 years have undeveloped root systems and need supplemental watering to survive their first Colorado winters
- Monthly visits: Typically one to two applications per month from November through March, timed to warm periods above 40 degrees
- No irrigation system needed: We bring water to your property -- this service works even when your sprinkler system is winterized
Winter Watering FAQ
Colorado State University Extension recommends watering trees and shrubs one to two times per month during winter when there is no snow cover and temperatures are above 40 degrees. Water midday so it can soak in before evening freezing. Focus on evergreens and any trees planted within the last three years.
No. Your irrigation system should be winterized by mid-October in Douglas County. Pressurizing a winterized system risks freeze damage to pipes, valves, and backflow preventers. JLS brings water independently -- we do not use your irrigation system for winter watering service.
Evergreen species are at highest risk because they retain needles that continue losing moisture all winter. Colorado blue spruce, Austrian pine, Ponderosa pine, arborvitae, and juniper are the most commonly affected. Newly planted deciduous trees (under 3 years old) are also vulnerable because their root systems haven't developed enough to access deep soil moisture.
