How Much Should You Water Plants in the Fall? A Gardening Pro Shares

Just because your plants look drab and dull this fall doesn’t mean it’s time to stop watering. Although plants generally need less water in autumn, cool weather triggers a growth spurt in plant roots that continues until the ground freezes solid.

Watering regularly and deeply at this time of the year makes plants sturdier in spring, helps them fruit and flower better, and makes them more resistant to cold damage.

Keeping track of watering guidelines can be tricky, so we compiled simple tips to help you judge how much to water different types of plants in fall.

How Often to Water Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs

With deep watering, you only need to water perennials, trees, shrubs, and sturdy vegetables every 1 to 3 weeks. You can avoid plant diseases, like powdery mildew, by keeping plant leaves dry.

Deep watering is ideal for most plants in any season, but it’s especially helpful in fall when plants are rapidly growing roots.

• Simply direct your garden hose, drip line, or soaker hose at the soil line.
• Water until the top 6 inches of soil is thoroughly saturated.
• Only water again when the top few inches of soil feels dry.

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How Often to Water Annuals and Potted Plants

Tender annuals, potted plants, and some vegetables generally fare better if they’re watered lightly every few days—especially when the weather is relatively warm.

Watering potted plants too deeply can increase the chances of root rot, while leafy greens can start to wilt if they don’t receive enough water.

Pay Special Attention to Newly-Planted Perennials

Conifers and broadleaf evergreens, as well as newly planted perennials, trees, and shrubs, need to be watered regularly until the ground freezes. Although evergreens can be deeply watered every 1 to 3 weeks, new perennials may need to be watered weekly to help them settle into your garden.

Keeping these plants well-watered until the ground freezes will help them survive the winter, but it also prevents browning leaves and branches die back.

How to Slowly Reduce Watering Week by Week

Plants need less water in cool weather and can develop root rot when overwatered in fall. To avoid this issue, slowly wean established plants off supplemental water by waiting a bit longer between waterings.

New plants and potted plants, however, should still be watered regularly, although you can water them a little less each time.

Reduce watering in rainy weather

Providing plants with supplemental water is essential if you live in a dry area or if rainfall is scarce. But if you’re experiencing a rainy autumn, you may not have to water your plants at all.

Installing a rain gauge in your garden can help you determine exactly how much water your plants receive from rainfall and if you need to water.

Add mulch to slow evaporation

If you want to reduce the amount of water your garden needs in autumn, apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of your plants. Mulch insulates the soil and protects tender roots from cold damage, but it also slows moisture evaporation and makes plants more resilient in dry autumn and winter weather.

For best results, choose natural mulches, like chopped autumn leaves, straw, wood chips, or pine needles, and apply a fresh layer of mulch annually.

Water well before frost

When your weather forecast finally calls for frost or freezing temperatures, head out into your garden and give your plants one last deep drink of water. Well-watered plants withstand cold temperatures much better than water-stressed ones, and deep watering can even prevent some frost damage.

When Should You Stop Watering Plants in Fall?

Gardeners in mild climates may need to water their plants all through fall and winter, but in cool weather, gardeners can stop watering when the ground freezes solid and the soil isn’t workable.

During their winter dormancy, plants won’t need much water and they’ll only need to be watered again when temperatures warm in spring. Remember to drain your hoses and drip line systems before retiring them for the season to ensure they don’t split in cold weather.