Q.
With the temps averaging 110 F, how much and often should I be watering my
shrubs and trees?
With the temps averaging 110 F, how much and often should I be watering my
shrubs and trees?
A.
I would normally not increase the number of minutes on an irrigation clock but add
one more watering day each week as it gets hotter. I would not recommend changing
the number of minutes under normal circumstances but the number of watering
days in the week. You seldom change the number of minutes on an irrigation
clock after you are satisfied with your landscape irrigations.
I would normally not increase the number of minutes on an irrigation clock but add
one more watering day each week as it gets hotter. I would not recommend changing
the number of minutes under normal circumstances but the number of watering
days in the week. You seldom change the number of minutes on an irrigation
clock after you are satisfied with your landscape irrigations.
The number of minutes on an irrigation
clock delivers a set volume of water during a cycle and it does it the same
every time it comes on. This set volume of water fills the same volume of soil
every time for every plant on that valve or station.
clock delivers a set volume of water during a cycle and it does it the same
every time it comes on. This set volume of water fills the same volume of soil
every time for every plant on that valve or station.
This set volume of water wets the soil to
the same soil depth and same spread every time it comes on. It’s like filling a
gas tank on a car.
the same soil depth and same spread every time it comes on. It’s like filling a
gas tank on a car.
This wetted soil supplies water to plant
roots. Each time after an irrigation, that specific volume of water fills the
soil to the same depth and width every time. Roots grow into these areas to get
the water they need. Plant roots dominate the wetted soil where there is
irrigation water. They do not grow into areas where there is little to no water.
roots. Each time after an irrigation, that specific volume of water fills the
soil to the same depth and width every time. Roots grow into these areas to get
the water they need. Plant roots dominate the wetted soil where there is
irrigation water. They do not grow into areas where there is little to no water.
As temperatures increase, the amount of
water needed by plants also increases and they consume water in the soil more
quickly. Relating back to a gas tank of a car, we fill the soil with water
again when the “gas tank” is about half empty. This means as temperatures get
hotter we must fill the soil with water more often.
water needed by plants also increases and they consume water in the soil more
quickly. Relating back to a gas tank of a car, we fill the soil with water
again when the “gas tank” is about half empty. This means as temperatures get
hotter we must fill the soil with water more often.
This jump from 100F to 110F (10° F change)
seems big to us but it is not as big as the jump as the jump from February to
June (30 to 40° F). Usually an increase of one day each week, or about 20 to
30%, is enough to handle a 10% increase F in temperature.
seems big to us but it is not as big as the jump as the jump from February to
June (30 to 40° F). Usually an increase of one day each week, or about 20 to
30%, is enough to handle a 10% increase F in temperature.