By Nature’s Way Landscapes
It’s early March, and if you’ve been watching the sky hoping for a big snowstorm — you’re not alone. Across Lafayette and Boulder County, we’ve had fewer than six measurable snowfalls this season. Plenty of sunshine. Almost no moisture. And right now, your trees and shrubs are paying for it. Winter watering in Boulder County has never been more critical than this season.
At Nature’s Way Landscapes, we call this the “Silent Drought.”
This season, we’re keeping a close eye on landscapes across Lafayette and Erie. With soil this dry, evergreens are the first to feel it — and the damage often doesn’t show until it’s too late to reverse. Without action in the next few weeks, many high-value landscapes will suffer from desiccation: a condition where roots literally freeze-dry in the ground before spring even gets started. It’s one of the most common — and most preventable — causes of plant loss on the Front Range.
The Screwdriver Test
Before you do anything else, try this.
Grab a large flathead screwdriver and push it into the soil near the dripline of your trees.
- Slides in 6+ inches → Soil moisture is okay for now
- Stops at 2 inches → You’re in a deficit. Deep soak immediately.
Thirty seconds. That’s all it takes to know where you stand.
3 Things to Do Right Now
1. Prioritize the Newcomers
Any tree or shrub planted in the last 3 years hasn’t established a deep enough root system to survive a dry winter on its own. Water these first — they’re the most vulnerable in a low-snow season like this one.
2. Soak the Evergreens
Spruces and pines breathe all winter long. They lose moisture through their needles every single day and can’t shut down like deciduous trees. In a dry Colorado winter, they are quietly suffering — even when they still look green.
3. Hand-Water Only — Don’t Touch Your Irrigation System Yet
Freeze risk across Boulder County remains high through the end of March. Use a garden hose on any day the temperature climbs above 40°F. Let it run slow and deep near the root zone — a quick spray won’t cut it.
This Is Exactly Why Proactive Landscape Maintenance Matters
Most homeowners don’t catch the Silent Drought until they see brown needles in May. By then, the damage is done — and it’s an expensive fix.
Here’s the good news: if you’re on one of our Essential Care or Signature Care plans, winter property checks are already built in. If we spot something like this during our rounds, we’ll reach out before it becomes a real problem. No guessing, no scrambling.
Want us to handle the actual watering too? We offer winter watering as an add-on — just say the word and we’ll take it completely off your plate.
Not on a plan yet? Let’s fix that. Request your spring property assessment and we’ll walk you through your options — no pressure, just a straight conversation about what your landscape actually needs.