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Irrigation Basics
The simple rules...
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Howdy GardenLine Email Tip Subscribers.
We ran this tip sheet last year at about this same time (Actually, May to
be exact). But at that time we only had about 1200 subscribers to the
email tips… That number is close to 4,000 now, and so I thought this was
worth re-issuing to the newest 2500-plus subscribers.
It won’t be long before things heat up quite a bit and force us to start
using our Sprinkler systems again. Which is why I thought this was a
good time to remind you of the basic irrigation schedule I talk about
on the radio program. So far this spring, we have been pretty
spoiled. We've gotten ample, soaking rains when we needed them.
But once again, this could be one of those situations that lulls us into a
false sense of security. So, here are the basics:
Normally, our turf and landscapes do fine
with 1 to 11/2 inches per week (7 days), when the
daytime temperatures are in the 70s & 80s.
The more our daytime highs creep closer to 88
through 94 you can probably up that schedule to
1 to 1 1/2 inches every 4 to 5 days.
When our high temperatures exceed 95
consistently, you may be looking at the
possibility of irrigating every 2 to 3 days.
(That's normally July thru August.)
Remember to water early in the morning. If you have an automatic
sprinkler, you can schedule it to run any time between 3 am to
8 am. If you don't have an automatic sprinkler, do your best
to set the sprinkler when you get up in the morning. Here's
why. Water pressure is at its best early in the mornings. There
is less wind, which is important because of evaporation. Finally,
this allows the turf and landscape to use the water throughout
the warming day. If you water at night, you run the risk of
fungal diseases, such as Brownpatch.
One more note: You may be asking, how do I know how much time
it takes my sprinkler to meter out an inch of water? Whether
it's automatic or otherwise, the test is always the same. Get
an empty can, such as a tuna or cat food can and put it out at
the farthest reach of the spray pattern of your sprinkler. When
it fills up, that's how long it takes to give you that inch.
This can be as little as 15 minutes on some automatic systems,
to as much as 45 minutes for the hose draggers.
To read more about water conservation with our lawns, look at this two
links:
agnews.tamu.edu
www.ywdb.state.tx.us
Until next week, here's to
Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard
exclusively weekend mornings from 8 to noon
on Talkradio 950 KPRC.
Where in the world is Randy Lemmon this weekend?
Talk to Randy one-on-one when he visits garden centers, nurseries and events in your neighborhood. Be sure to bring samples of your plant and pest problems for Randy to analyze. Spin the TALKRADIO 950 Prize Wheel, too, and pick up some FREE KPRC goodies!
SATURDAY APRIL 27--
Lowe's Home Improvement (Amdro Appearance),1 - 3 p.m.
1000 Gulfgate Center Mall on I-45 at the 610 Loop
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