A long screwdriver or a piece of rebar with one end sharpened can be used instead. The soil probe will move easily through moist soil and will stop or become very difficult to move when you reach dry soil. Use a soil probe to determine whether or not irrigation water is reaching the entire root zone.If you have a smart controller, you may have a rain sensor wired into your controller that will automatically shut off the system. If it rains 1/2 inch or more at one time, skip the next irrigation. Use two simple tools to help you water more efficiently.Understanding effiecient outdoor water use is important in our arid climate. Inspect your plants regularly for signs of overwatering or underwatering and adjust irrigation schedules to accommodate the conditions and plants in your yard.ģ Tips to Help Save Water & Maximize Plant Please note that these are general guidelines. Two watering schedules are provided: one for new plants and another for established plants. Change the frequency of irrigations to accommodate differences in seasonal water requirements. Irrigation schedules should be adjusted at least four times a year. Seasonal adjustment of irrigation schedules is one of the easiest and most effective ways to avoid wasting water. Those in sunny areas need more water than plants in shaded areas, and plants that are exposed to the wind need more than those that are protected.Īlthough many plants need irrigation year-round, far less water is required during the cooler times of the year than during the summer months. Generally, new plants need to be watered more frequently than established plants. Once established, desert-adapted plants can survive on rainfall alone with occasional supplemental waterings during extended dry periods. This is due to high temperatures, low humidity, near year-round sunshine, very low rainfall (only seven to ten inches a year) and frequent windy conditions that speed water evaporation from the soil and plants. Nearly all of the landscape plants available for use in the Sonoran Desert need regular irrigation to get them established, and some will need periodic irrigation to keep them healthy. Watering Schedules Tailored for Landscapes in the Sonoran Desert

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