Watering and Watering Systems
This is an important domain of your garden and land to be caring for. Especially in the hot summer months, or when you live in the desert like I do. Here's a list of my tips you can use to optimize your watering and irrigation efforts.
Adjust your water pressure. Too much pressure uses more water than is necessary and can cause your system to have blow outs.
Check your sprinkler heads and adjust them to keep water output in your garden and land, and off the concrete. Also, check your system monthly for leaks and clogged/broken heads.
Water only when needed. Over watering encourages fungus growth/disease, weeds and shallow root growth.
When setting your watering zones take into account the type of plants there, along with sun or shade exposure and set accordingly. Your sunny and hottest areas are going to require more water and the shaded areas requiring less water.
Your watering schedule should be set for the season, specific to your zone and the weather demands of your climate.
Recommended Summer Watering Times
Sunrise and Sunset are the best times to water your garden and landscape. This is when the sun is low and the winds tend to be calmer.
I recommend 15 minutes at sunrise and 15 minutes at sunset on the really hot days. Twice a day. When the weather isn't so hot once a day should be fine.
By watering less you also help train your garden and landscape to live on less water. By doing this you can watch you plants and find a medium that works, avoiding the over watering mentioned above that wastes money and creates disease.
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