Irrigation: How much, how often?
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Diane Lynch
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A sprinkler irrigation display board at Fair Oaks horticulture. Photo: Melissa Womack
Drip irrigation, which is how most of us should water our gardens (except for lawns, which are challenging to justify in our arid climate), is a snarl of small and larger lines all over the garden. Rodents like to chew on them; the sun isn’t great for longevity, and they’re intended to put out tiny amounts of water. What’s not to love?
Seriously, with a drip system, water can be placed accurately and applied slowly with less waste. Plants benefit from not having wet foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases, and you can work in the garden when the system is on. Once you’ve made the considerable investment, your system should be good for years, with occasional repairs.
Drip irrigation offers several advantages. Water is slowly placed more accurately in the root zone, so there is little or no waste. Photo: CourtesyProperly installed and maintained, drip irrigation systems will do a good job of keeping your plants properly hydrated. Vegetables, especially, need consistent water during their growth cycles. Tomatoes and peppers will suffer and be prone to blossom end rot and other maladies if not kept consistently irrigated.
This hydrangea may need more water than the shrubs surrounding it, but if it’s well-established, it may do ok on the same amount of water..Soaker hoses can supplement an installed system when more water is needed. Hoses under 25’ on level land can add additional water where required in extreme drought or newly planted areas that need additional water to get started.
Some gardeners like to install and manage their own irrigation systems, but for many, it makes sense to have a professional do the installation and an annual check in the spring to make sure emitters are working and leaks are fixed before turning on the system for spring, summer, and fall. The amount of water needed will vary with day length and temperature, so come fall, the garden will need less water, and the timers can be adjusted to account for this.
Happy irrigating!