I think the OP was asking whether any supplementary watering was needed due to the change in rain pattern over winter in Belgium. Of course, any plants outside wherever they are, will be subject to local weather conditions.
Interesting. Surely through winter in the UK plants outside would very often been soaked by winter rain - it's the norm. Watering is just mimicing rain.
Not always true. Vegetation can shield rain from soaking the roots if that is what is needed. One of the reasons why watering plants when needed is often best done by directing the water to the base of the plant. It is surprising how many gardeners use a spray to water their plants in dry weather - it may give some of the leaves a bit of respite but won't always help the plant as a whole.
Thanks all for your replies! Very interesting to see what everyone does.
It seems like we're led by the weather so I'm reassured that it's okay I haven't watered given the continual rain.
I will definitely keep an eye on plants for stress though (a bit harder to detect this with the newly-planted trees/shrubs which don't have leaves at the moment, just buds).
Hi @Molamola, please don't get too worried about this, your dormant shrubs and trees will be fine over winter. Once they start to bud in Spring just keep an eye on them and water as you would normally do during the growing season if there's been no rain. Enjoy your new plants!
I lived in central rural Belgium and we had some seriously cold winters with -15C being the norm in Jan/Feb, -20C not uncommon and worse not unknown. I moved all outdoor pots into the barn if they were deciduous plants such as hostas and some shrub but anything that was evergreen went into the greenhouse. I'd water the latter well just after stashing them and then check throughout winter to see if they needed more.
The only pots that stayed outside were two big ceramic ones either side of the front door and planted with things like skimmia and pansies. tried bulbs but they always got frozen to a mush.
The canopy of evergreen plants will vastly reduce the amount of rainwater that gets into pots at any time of year so, in milder areas where they can stay outside, I'd check and water them in warmer and dry spells but make sure any excess could drian off by putting the pots up on feet of some sort.
I always water plants well before and after planting in autumn or early winter but didn't need to water again after that in Belgium. Here I find I need to water trees and shrubs thru any warmer dry spells in winter and thru the growing seasons for 2 years before they get their feet down deep enough to cope.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
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One of the reasons why watering plants when needed is often best done by directing the water to the base of the plant.
It is surprising how many gardeners use a spray to water their plants in dry weather - it may give some of the leaves a bit of respite but won't always help the plant as a whole.
It seems like we're led by the weather so I'm reassured that it's okay I haven't watered given the continual rain.
I will definitely keep an eye on plants for stress though (a bit harder to detect this with the newly-planted trees/shrubs which don't have leaves at the moment, just buds).
The only pots that stayed outside were two big ceramic ones either side of the front door and planted with things like skimmia and pansies. tried bulbs but they always got frozen to a mush.
The canopy of evergreen plants will vastly reduce the amount of rainwater that gets into pots at any time of year so, in milder areas where they can stay outside, I'd check and water them in warmer and dry spells but make sure any excess could drian off by putting the pots up on feet of some sort.
I always water plants well before and after planting in autumn or early winter but didn't need to water again after that in Belgium. Here I find I need to water trees and shrubs thru any warmer dry spells in winter and thru the growing seasons for 2 years before they get their feet down deep enough to cope.