New Year's Resolution for your Landscape

by Kurt M. Jones Chaffee County Extension Director   Along with your list of getting more exercise, eating less, and losing some weight, let me offer some gardening resolutions that will help your garden, lawn and trees stay healthier as well. I resolve to continue watering my trees and shrubs throughout the winter months… Winter tree form Dry air, low soil moisture and fluctuating temperatures are fall and winter characteristics in many areas of Colorado.   During extended periods, particularly October through February when there may be little or no snow cover, trees, shrubs and lawn grasses can be damaged if they do not receive supplemental water.             The result of long, dry periods during fall and winter is injury or death of plant root systems.   The plants affected may appear perfectly normal and resume growth in the spring using stored food energy, only to weaken or die in late spring or early summer when stored energy runs out.   Weakened plants also may be subject to in