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How To Water

 

 

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SHERIDAN GARDENS NURSERY, INC

 

Burbank Store

817 N. Hollywood Way

Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 841-8845

www.sheridangardens.com 

 

How to Water 

WATER conservation is very important in Southern California and your plants and lawns can be watered efficiently with much less water than you think.  Here are some tips:

·        Always add plenty of organic humus to the soil.  It retains water.

·        MULCH the surface with bark or humus to hold the water in the soil.

·        DEEP WATER!  The top 1”-2” of soil dries out, but it usually stays wet below that.

·        Put saucers under hanging plants and pots.  WARNING:  Dump out excess water into another plant, as roots will rot if left sitting in water for long periods of time.

·        Plant trees to shade plants and cool the environment – it also cuts air conditioning costs!

·        Water in the early morning.  It’s the best time, but by all means water when there is a NEED.  Excessive and sustained wilting can kill turf and plants.

·        Build large water basins around trees and shrubs so you can irrigate heavily and not so often.

·        Install a sprinkler system.  An automatic system saves water because it shuts off by itself.

·        Time your sprinklers correctly (see below).

·        Install a “Drip System” – it puts small amounts of water directly onto the plant or into the pot and avoids needless splashing.

·        Avoids surface run-off.  Apply Soil Penetrant to help water penetrate soil.

HOW TO TIME YOUR SPRINKLERS CORRECTLY:

Apply only enough water to penetrate the root zone.  There is no need to water if the plant doesn’t need it.  Determine this for the record by “trial and error” timing of the irrigation period.  FIRST, arbitrarily set a watering time.  THEN later, CHECK the depth of water penetration in relation to the depth of roots by using a trowel.  EXAMINE it and REPLACE.  ADJUST your watering periods accordingly.   EXAMPLE:  If soil takes three days to dry out, water every three days IN THAT LOCATION. *Note:  Heat, wind, and weather changes will cause variations in water need.  Check periodically during these extremes.

Repeat watering before signs of wilting appear – i.e.: the glossy leaves turn dull, or a slight droop shows on the foliage.  WATER any dry areas that have appeared.  Add Humus Mulch and/or Mineral Soil Conditioner for soil penetration.  AVOID WATERING DAILY except during extreme temperatures, wind, or on NEWLY set out plants.

PREVENTING SURFACE RUN-OFF

1.        Adjust the output of sprinklers so that they will have short, repeated intervals for pre-determined times.

2.      Apply Soil Penetrant (1 qt. Per 1,000 sq ft.)

3.      Remove excessive thatch in turf with a renovator or vertical mower.

4.      Use a sod coring device one or two times a year to allow oxygen to penetrate the root zone.  Remember, roots need air as well as water in order to grow and function properly.