We recommend using drip irrigation on trees, shrubs, vines, vegetables, and any individual plant. Micro sprinklers are best used on ground cover, flower beds, groups of plants, hillsides and on very sandy soils as water will percolate downward before it can spread far enough horizontally. Avoid micro sprinklers in areas where it is windy; high winds will disturb the micro sprinkler spray pattern. Drip Soaker Tape is ideal for vegetable beds and planters and narrow planting areas.
The following chart will offer some recommendations as to the length of time that drip or micro sprinkler systems should run. There are many factors that will influence the actual run time for your system. Choose a run time from the chart. After two or three irrigation cycles, remove a small amount of top soil near the drippers and observe the underlying dirt. Make sure that it is not too wet or too dry, and that the plants appear healthy. If there is too much water, decrease the watering time; if too dry or if the wet area is too shallow, increase the watering time. If you wish to use the scientific method to design drip irrigation systems, we will do it in the September article on how to calculate water requirements and which formulas to use.
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Dripper watering schedule |
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Watering frequency |
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Type of plants |
Watering time |
hot climate |
warm climate |
cool climate |
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Flowers, vegetables |
30 minutes - 1 hour |
1-2 days |
3 days |
3-4 days |
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Small trees or shrubs |
1-2 hours |
1-2 days |
2-3 days |
3-4 days |
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Vines |
3-6 hours |
1-2 days |
2-3 days |
3-4 days |
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Medium trees or shrubs |
5-7 hours |
2-3 days |
2-3 days |
4-5 days |
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Large trees or shrubs |
6-8 hours |
1-2 days |
2-3 days |
5-6 days |
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Pots up to 15" |
3-5 minutes |
1-2 days |
2-3 days |
4-5 days |
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Pots over 15" |
5-10 minutes |
1-2 days |
2-3 days |
4-5 days |
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Micro sprinkler watering schedule |
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Watering frequency |
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Type of plants |
Watering time |
hot climate |
warm climate |
cool climate |
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Flower beds, ground cover |
30 minutes-1 hour |
1-2 days |
3 days |
4-6 days |
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Small trees |
1-2 hours |
2-3 days |
4-5 days |
5-6 days |
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Medium trees |
2-3 hours |
2-3 days |
4-5 days |
6-7 days |
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Large trees |
2-5 hours |
2-3 days |
4-5 days |
5-7 days |
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Greenhouses or hothouses |
5-10 minutes |
2-4 times/day |
2 times/day |
1 time/2 days |
