Q. How often do
deciduous fruit trees, in this case a Blenheim apricot, need to be watered
during the dormant season?
deciduous fruit trees, in this case a Blenheim apricot, need to be watered
during the dormant season?
A. It’s hard to give a blanket recommendation about how
often to water because of the differences in soil, root growth and if people
are using a surface mulch or not. Because of these differences, how often to
irrigate might vary a couple of days either way.
often to water because of the differences in soil, root growth and if people
are using a surface mulch or not. Because of these differences, how often to
irrigate might vary a couple of days either way.
The best
way is to use a moisture sensor such as those inexpensive houseplant moisture
sensors. Insert the tip in the soil about 6 inches deep and irrigate when the
meter is around 6. You should be at able to water no sooner than every 7 days
and maybe every 10 days depending upon your conditions.
way is to use a moisture sensor such as those inexpensive houseplant moisture
sensors. Insert the tip in the soil about 6 inches deep and irrigate when the
meter is around 6. You should be at able to water no sooner than every 7 days
and maybe every 10 days depending upon your conditions.
 |
| Soil moisture sensor with 24 inch stem |
But if
the tree is surrounded by dry soil it may be closer to 7 days. If the tree is
surrounded by other trees that are irrigated, it might be 10 days. And if you
have the soil covered in 3 or 4 inches of woodchips you can extend it perhaps an
extra 2 days. That’s my best guess.
the tree is surrounded by dry soil it may be closer to 7 days. If the tree is
surrounded by other trees that are irrigated, it might be 10 days. And if you
have the soil covered in 3 or 4 inches of woodchips you can extend it perhaps an
extra 2 days. That’s my best guess.
But you
are better off using a moisture sensor to get it more accurate than this. To
determine the number of minutes to
irrigate, I use a long probe like three-eighths inch rebar and push it into the
soil after an irrigation. It’s hard to push it deeper if the soil is dry
beneath where you water. Recently at one of my classes, someone mentioned they
are using a wooden dowel to do the same thing.
are better off using a moisture sensor to get it more accurate than this. To
determine the number of minutes to
irrigate, I use a long probe like three-eighths inch rebar and push it into the
soil after an irrigation. It’s hard to push it deeper if the soil is dry
beneath where you water. Recently at one of my classes, someone mentioned they
are using a wooden dowel to do the same thing.
 |
| Soil moisture sensor meter reading “0” or dry. |
I
just push it down until it’s hard to push any further and that tells me how
deeply I’ve irrigated. With fruit trees I like to irrigate 12 to 18 inches
deep.