So far 2010 has proved to be another interesting weather year here in Texas. A very nice, cool, and fairly wet spring in North Texas has been followed up by a hot and semi-dry summer. Nothing compares to the benefits we get from rainwater. I tend to rant and rave about different things, but the “art” of watering tends to come up on a weekly basis this time of year.
September has proven to be our third month of summer here lately and conserving water and proper watering should be on everyone’s mind – actually year around! I highly encourage everyone to check into rain barrels. We let so much good free water run down the storm drains when placement of a rain barrel can help decrease your water bill. It is as simple as buying a 55 gallon drum and diverting your gutters into it. Install a faucet at the base and off you go! Your plants will thank you each time you use rainwater instead of tap water.
Now, for those of you who rely on a sprinkler system to water your lawn and gardens, there are some basic guidelines to follow. Quit Watering Every Day! It just makes me crazy to see a home with their sprinkler system running every day. I just want to go knock on the door and tell them to shut the darn thing off. Proper watering once a week is plenty for your plantings. If it is an automatic system, try starting the system at 1:00 a.m. and set the individual zones to water no more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. When all zones have been run, set your controller to run through them again. This will give you a deeper water penetration, with little or no run-off. During the heat of summer you can set it to go a third time. Now soils vary around the area so I suggest you watch your system run and judge for yourself. Sloped areas may not be able to run for more than just a few minutes before running off. Use the basic system for setting up your manual sprinklers.
It all comes back to common sense. Take the time to watch your own little eco system. If you have planted water wise plants and Texas natives, you may not even need weekly waterings. Also, some plants may need individual watering with a water hose. However, remember never to water in the heat of the day. You will get a better feel for your garden’s water requirements if you hand water some plants. This is a good time to evaluate how your plants are doing, look for diseases and insects, and what you may “not” want to plant again. In my own yard I try to let nature run its course. The only spraying I do is a mixture of Garrett Juice or Maestro-gro Sea Mist combined with Plant Wash as often as possible. If the plants cannot make it with minimal care, they become compost.
Don’t forget the use of soaker hoses – the weeping ones only. Most of these are made from recycled rubber materials and will last years in your garden, use them in place of the sprinkler system as much as possible.
Hear Tropical John and “The Dirt Doctor” Howard Garrett on Sunday Mornings 8 am to 11 am on KSKY AM 660. Tropical John’s Gardens, phone 972-771-2449.
