How to Schedule Irrigation for Healthy Plants

For plants to thrive, they need water, but when you have different varieties of plants in your garden, some will need more than others will. The easiest way to make sure each plant receives adequate water on a regular basis is to set up an irrigation schedule. You can have a beautiful garden, full of healthy plants, and still save money by watering only when necessary.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Understand how much water your plants need and group similar plants together for irrigation purposes. You don't have to put them all in the same area, but group them by running one, or more, irrigation hoses to the base of each plant needing the same amount of water.

2. Distinguish between different hoses by using "V" connectors that can be manually shutoff while another hose is watering. In this manner, you can schedule watering for only the plants that need it, thereby conserving water and money.

3. Chart your plant groups and the recommended amount of water they should receive each week.

4. Saturate your plants when watering. The rule of thumb is to saturate the soil to a depth of 6 inches each time you water. This allows the roots of the plant to feed immediately and as the moisture settles into the soil, encourages them to develop strong deep root systems.

5. Test your soil. Take a sample to your local county extension office, or agricultural office to determine how much moisture it retains. They will recommend soil conditioners if your soil doesn't drain well. Optimizing your soil's water retention will save money and create healthy plants.

6. Consider your climate when you schedule irrigation. In very wet climates, you may need to supplement rarely, while dry, arid regions may need more frequent watering to maintain healthy plants.