Winter Watering by Mary Smith, Clear Creek County Master Gardener Apprentice

We’ve enjoyed a glorious, warm fall.   Summer vegetable gardens are harvested, spring bulbs planted, perhaps you even took the time to carry in your flowering containers over the few cold nights knowing that the weather forecast included a return to above-normal temperatures for the season.   And now what?   With minimal precipitation this fall-do you wonder how we got through October in the mountains without a good snowfall? - Remember to water this winter!   Leaf scorch Of course, here in the mountains we can’t always go by the advice that we hear from weather forecasters or other gardeners that live down in the metro area.   Our micro-climates, snow drifts and winds take a toll on our plantings that differ from the milder temps that Denver may enjoy.   Above 40 degrees Winter watering is recommended from October through March (put a reminder on your calendar/app each month), and under most conditions can be done only once a month.   To off-set drought conditions, leaf scorch (commo