Q&A: How long should I run my drip irrigation?
As the days warm up and the sun scorches the soil, we have a lot of nervous clients seeking an answer to this question. The answer— as gardeners may expect in this world of science and crossed-fingers— is complicated. There is no perfect formula for irrigation!
Still, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
1) When we are waiting for seeds to germinate, we need to keep the top inch of soil moist. This can be tricky, and we have to helicopter-mom that garden row with a hose! Once the seeds sprout and the plants get established, we want them to develop long, strong root systems. That’s when you can start relying on your irrigation.
2) Start by watering deeply every other day. You might water every other morning for 45 minutes so that the soil dries out a little and the roots have to find water below the surface. But don’t let the timer do all of the work… you may need to update the frequency if it’s very rainy or very dry.
3) Observe your soil and your plants to keep track of water needs. Use the finger test! Check your soil with your finger to determine how dry it is. If you plunge your finger 3 to 4 inches in and it’s entirely dry, your garden likely needs some water. Your plants may look droopy and dry, too. In this case, increase the irrigation frequency to every morning, or even every morning and evening in our hot summer months. But, if your finger is wet and dirty with soil, let the garden dry out a bit more. Reduce the irrigation time or turn it off.
Do you have a question about the garden? You’re probably not the only one who’s wondering. Email us and we will share the answer in a future newsletter.
