It’s time to think about watering our trees, lawns and landscapes again since it looks like we are not going to be receiving much rainfall soon. Always remember that our irrigation systems supplement the rain, not the other way around. Lawns need an inch of water a week, preferably all in one day so that the water will infiltrate to a depth of six inches creating a healthier root system. A little bit of water every day does not create a strong root system.
Water restrictions that allow “twice a week” watering are for your convenience, not because your lawn needs it. The best way to make sure your sprinklers are putting out an inch of water is to measure it with a rain gauge or small smooth-sided can. In our clay soils, we often need to run a cycle and then allow the water to soak in to prevent run off. Space the cycles out but still try to get all the irrigation done the same day so that you’ll get a deep watering.
Trees need to be watered differently than a lawn. They prefer infrequent, deep watering. Established trees that are well suited to our area may not need to be watered yet, but immature trees will probably need a drink. On the main page of www.dcmga.com, there’s a link to a video on how to water trees properly which was made by the Texas Forest Service. It’s short and easy to understand.
And the final portion of the landscape that needs to be watered are the shrub and perennial beds and the foundation of your house. The most efficient way to water is drip irrigation because no water is lost in evaporation but all the water is put only where it needs to be. Drip irrigation can be retrofitted easily to existing sprinkler systems. You can learn how to do this at a free class “Drip Irrigation DIY” at the Flower Mound Public Library on Monday, July 21 at 6:30 pm taught by Patrick Dickinson. Converting your spray heads to drip can save you money by using less water for your bed areas. This class will also cover how to use drip irrigation to water your foundation properly. To sign up for this class or for more information call 972.874.6165.
Give us a call at 940.349.2892 or email us at [email protected], with your gardening and landscape woes. We are here to help.
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