Is it time to turn on my irrigation?
A soil thermometer is a great resource to use to get a better idea of what is happening in the soil. March 6, 2020 in Bend, Oregon the soil is approximately 45 degrees.
With the warming weather and anticipation of spring, excited gardeners and landscape enthusiasts are considering activating their irrigation systems to apply some water to the dry, thirsty landscapes. This winter has been especially dry in Central Oregon and the landscapes are ready for some water.
The upcoming weekly forecast shows freezing nights with daytime temps reaching the 50’s. Although it is freezing at night, the soil temps are warming up and the ground is not frozen. The soil is a great insulator for irrigation systems and when valves and pipes are installed at the proper depth it is possible to have your system activated during freezing temps. The trick is to avoid irrigating during a freeze event to prevent damage to the plants as well as dangerous conditions of freezing water on sidewalks and streets.
An early morning application of irrigation runs off on the sidewalk and street and freezes to create a potentially dangerous situation for vehicles and pedestrians.
Here are a few tips for the early season irrigators:
1. Inspect irrigation system and adjust any sprinklers that are not hitting the target area to avoid runoff to undesired areas, i.e. driveway, sidewalks, patio, retaining walls
2. Adjust irrigation controller to avoid irrigating late at night and early in the morning when freezing temperatures are possible
3. Adjust irrigation controller to apply 30%+/- of peak season needs, plants do not need as much water in spring as they do in summer.
4. Adjust irrigation controller to apply water in the morning and avoid irrigating late in the day
5. Shorter, more frequent run times are more appropriate than long, infrequent applications
If you want more info on irrigation practices or how to adjust your irrigation program, contact Water Whys Irrigation today.