Should I water bamboos all throughout winter?

[stevelau1911]

There is usually snow cover from December to March, but I've read in an article that watering plants in the winter can prevent freezing temperatures. Do temperate bamboos go completely dormant in these winter months, or will their roots still take in moisture? There is also the snow cover but I'm not sure if that melts gradually and naturally waters the bamboo.

I haven't watered my boos in about a month, but I really don't know if it will help next years shoots at all.

If not when should watering be started again? I'm guessing late April?

I also found some sources that fertilizing bamboo in February will help the shooting season so I have some tree spikes handy.

[GNiessen]

Water is a heat conductor. In the short term the watering can help prevent frost damage as it can draw up ground warmth to keep the roots from freezing from a short term temperature drop. Later on watering can also add warmth in that even cold water is above freezing. But this is a loosing battle if the temperatures are low and for an extended period. The water willl freeze and any further water will run off. Or you will have to water to such an extent that you will water log you Bamboo. 6" of mulch is probably worth a lot more then watering every day.

Disclaimer: I am basing this on general principals and not on any specific bamboo experience.

[stevelau1911]

Thats what I thought because the ground is not completely dry at this time of the year anyways and I have more than enough mulch.

It doesn't sound right to water plants when theres snow cover anyways.