Keeping garden beds watered in the winter
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I have an overhang from the roof over a garden bed filled with new rose bushes, hydrangeas and perennials. I am afraid they will not get rain (or snow) this winter because of the overhang. I have been watering it myself all summer. Can the plants dry out and die? Any suggestions? I'm in the upper Midwest and lugging out the hose in 20 degree temps is out of the question! Thanks
Jane @No search results.Blondiesjournals.blogspot.com
Jane @No search results.Blondiesjournals.blogspot.com
13 answers
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Is there any moisture that gets under there? If not, then do not drag out hose water once a week to week and a half but use a watering can or empty milk jug and water each plant with about 1/2 gallon of water each week. If you get snow, then I would scoop snow and cover the area with snow to avoid watering. I would also consider getting rain barrels to water this side of the yard too. Save money and time dragging out hoses and the water will be right there for your plants. You can find them for around $35-40 on Craiglist already built. I have 3 rain barrels and save about $15 a month on water/sewer bill. Good luck.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Oct 23, 2013
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Give the area a good soaking before your hard frost sets in. If you get snow, shovel it onto the area to insulate and add moisture.
Sensible Gardening and Living
on Oct 23, 2013
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They'll be fine as that bed should draw water from the nearby lawn via osmosis. I would suggest you don't water it at the start of winter but check to see if the soil is moist every now and again, maybe every two weeks.
Coco Tree Service Corp
on Oct 24, 2013
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I also have overhangs very similar to yours, though a bit narrower, I think. I live in SW Michigan. We typically have a fair amount of rain in the spring and fall I make sure my shrubs are well watered in the fall and this carries them over to spring when the snow melts here. I am sure that their roots grow outward past the overhang and get watered by the elements. I have never had a problem with any of my plants or shrubs under the overhang and I have a LOT of shrubs and plants around my home. http::smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com
White Oak Studio Designs
on Oct 24, 2013
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I'll join the chorus and say to give the area a good soaking before you put the hose away for the winter, then, when you do get snow, shovel some onto that area. You may at some point want to put a little micro irrigation system in there. It beats hauling out a hose on a regular basis.
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 24, 2013
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Thanks! I appreciate your help!
Janet Carroll-Boudreau
on Oct 24, 2013
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God love the person who has to get into your crawl space.............ouch.......
Jann Cox
on Oct 25, 2013
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Ha ha!! I'm surprised you noticed that. Actually I was hoping no one would. ;-D I have a small trellis that I'm going to put there as well and do some morning glories. Hubby is worried about that, too, but we haven't had to get in there in eons!
Janet Carroll-Boudreau
on Oct 25, 2013
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I understand, but on the day that you do need to get under there you will most likely lose your rose bush....can't you move it to one side or the other of the panel and then, you could place a movable trellis with morning glories in front of it, if something goes wrong with your pluming and you have to get under there fast, I think that rosebush would have to be dug up., sorry I come from a long line of home builders, I notice things like this
Jann Cox
on Oct 26, 2013
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Had to laugh...when we lost our home this summer in the Colorado Springs Black Forest fires, my husband said he was thankful he would never have to go down in our crawl space again and that if we rebuild, it will NOT have one. Silver linings...
Deb
on Oct 26, 2013
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Janet, which way does this side of the house face? As much wind as the Chicago area gets, I would think that rain and snow would blow into this area without your help! Do you mulch and cover your roses in the winter? The mulch would help the area retain moisture, and the covers would protect the roses from damaging winds and freezing rain. I don't have a protected area for my two rose bushes, so I make sure to clear out any weeds, etc. mulch well and then cover my roses with Styrofoam covers for the winter. Because of the wind, I do have to put a stone or cement block on top of the covers to keep them from blowing away. I live in SW Michigan, and my garden gets plenty of winter moisture!
Jean DeSavage
on Oct 30, 2013
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Our crawl apace is accessed from within our home (from within the laundry/utility room.) Is this not typical? We are located about 2 hours from Chicago, along the lakeshore in Michigan. Our area typically gets plenty of fall rain-enough for the shrubs to be well watered naturally in the fall - its the summer when we get very droughty here. I typically do not have to water via hose in the fall, Mother Nature gives us enough. Usually we have pretty much the same weather patterns as Chicago. The key is are those plants planted under the overhang or just outside of them. If they are planted under the overhang, I'd consider moving them outside of the drip line this fall. You will save yourself a lot of grief over the years!! I planted our shrubs outside of the eves/drip line here and they receive natural rain. I created a gravel path under the eave overhang for walking on (to wash outside windows, paint trim/overhang, access the roof etc.) This system has served us well and we have quite an overhang on our ranch home too.
White Oak Studio Designs
on Oct 31, 2013
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The plants are covered by the overhang completely. Unfortunately, this was the only place I could have plants near the house. I am diligent about watering in the spring, summer and fall, I will have to see what they are getting blown in...we had plenty of rain last night. Yes, we have access to the crawl space through the laundry room. The opening is not as big as the outdoor one, but it is accesable. Thanks for all of your help!
Janet Carroll-Boudreau
on Oct 31, 2013
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