Irrigating trees and shrubs is critical to maintain health and vigor during the warmer dry months of the year. We find it is not common knowledge on the best practices of proper irrigation for the vegetation on a site.
We hope to provide some simple tips that will help maintain healthy trees and plants during this summer.
Plant roots need water for survival but they also need oxygen. Maintaining a healthy balance will avoid drought stress and fungal development from overwatering. Proper watering will avoid killing a beautiful mature oak tree from over water or losing all the plants in a new landscape from under-watering.
Based on our knowledge from arboricultural studies and using the many resources provided from tree and plant organizations, we have condensed a simple watering program for the majority of properties in the Bay Area. For the most part this is the schedule we implement on the properties we manage. For a more accurate assessment and understanding feel free to get in touch with us and we can assist with setting up the right watering schedule for your property.
5 Factors that will affect the frequency of your watering schedule
1. Soil
Clay holds water longer and water moves through sandy soils faster.
2. Shade or Sun
Shaded areas retain more water.
3. Hillside or Flat Surface
Runoff from slopes requires slower irrigating.
4. Plant Species
Cacti require less water than Camelias.
5. Sprinklers vs. Drip
Sprinklers provide more water than drip in a shorter period.
Watering Mature Shrubs and Plants
- Irrigate in June – October
- Weekly or every 2 weeks. Depends on drought tolerance.
- Heavy watering. Encourage deep roots.
- Water from outward branches inward
- Soaking with a hose, drip irrigation, or bubblers are a great way to water.
- Certain species may require more or less than others based on their drought tolerance.
Watering Established Trees
- Irrigate trees June – October
- 1-2 times per month.
- Heavy watering that goes deep. Encourage deep roots. Slower but longer.
- Don’t just water the trunk. Begin where branches end and water inward.
- Soaking with a hose, drip irrigation, or bubblers are a great way to water.
- Certain species may require more or less than others based on their drought tolerance.
Irrigating New Landscapes
BECAUSE THE ROOTS ON THE NEW TREES AND PLANTS ARE SHALLOW AND TENDER THEY WILL REQUIRE MORE WATER.
- Spring and summer irrigation may require every 2-3 days for the season to establish them. Especially if it is a hot summer.
- This schedule must be adjusted after the first summer season and year because plants can also die from being overwatered.
Watering Lawns
- New lawns may need daily watering. Especially in the summer.
- Most irrigation begins in spring and ends in November.
- Lawns can be watered 2-4 times per week. Depending on county restrictions and lawn locations. Those in hot regions in full sun may need water every 2-3 days.
- Usually 10-15 minutes per session is sufficient.
- If the lawn is on a slope it may require multiple smaller sessions a day rather than all at once.
Watering Tips
- When designing group plants with similar water needs they may be placed on the same irrigation system
- Drip irrigation allows for longer watering sessions less frequently
- Water mature trees and plants more heavily and less often. Spring and summer mostly.
- Oak trees rarely need summer or spring water unless stressed.
- Do not group sprinklers and drip irrigation on the same valve or line. The output will never be consistent.
- Trees and Plants should be on separate irrigation systems.
- Irrigate between 9pm – 6am to avoid evaporation.