Drip watering revisited

In Albuquerque, we water once a week in winter, twice a week in spring and autumn and three times a week at the height of hot summer.

If it rains enough to soak the soil, skip a watering. If the plants show signs of wilting, increase the watering frequency.

There is no set formula. The weather isn't that predictable or reliable. Observe the needs of the garden and water accordingly. Be flexible enough to adjust the frequency of watering with the seasons and as needed.

Back in the day I had knowledge of many devices, having designed many irrigation systems, many of them drip in the later years, intricate plans for a hugh lot of acreage.

Me, in Albuquerque too, I am trying to plant plants, native as I can with a couple of exceptions, rosemary and lavender, that will make it.
Now I water by a gallon bottle, aimed to a mound around the plant.

Also, dale, places vary greatly.


My old bible of sorts was the Sunset Western Gardens book, and I still have kept some of the series, though I liked my first ones more than my last one. The first ones almost fell apart and had scribbles all over the place, since I worked with them every day forever. I'm sorry I tossed that first and second one.

They have a different zone thing than the USDA take. Worth looking at, different considerations.

Picture links to xeriscaping tips:

Thanks But, your reply is very practical

Yet still open to rule-of-thumb suggestions. For instance in typical soil after rain, at say spring temps, at what rate does water level subside

Eg, (1) how many inches (or tenths) are required for saturation; that is, when further rainfall of no benefit

or (2) after how many days does it drop below the level required by, say, (a) bulb (b) typical tree

etc etc

Thanks Oss, I'll ask my Better Half if she too might be interested in that pub

Thanks again Oss and coincidentally I just ran across a device that measures soil moisture. One sticks it into the ground, gets a reading on an old-fashioned meter. Now wondering after a rain at what depth of the receding "water table" I should resume in shallow-rooted

It depends on the plants' particular needs.

Do you have a good garden center anywhere in your area? I don't mean the big box stores.

Oh yea Oss I'm sure I do, or corner of the Mojave being pretty heavily populated. But what should I be looking for

Oh yea Oss I'm sure I do, our corner of the Mojave being pretty heavily populated. But what should I be looking for

Someone to talk to about watering. Different plants have different evapotranspiration rates and will have been planted in differing soils (re drainage) and may be living in differing micro environments and have shallow or deep roots at this time. If someone is pretty smart there, they'll have an idea how to answer re your plants in your particular area. Going in with a list of your plants could be helpful.

Some of the garden centers of my past were started by people who know a lot, so sometimes the higher up people are good to talk with; on the other hand, in a good shop, sometimes the employees are pretty swift.

A lot of natives when first planted will need some water for the first year or two until they are well established, and then can be let go on their own. But, since you're in the Mohave, I'd ask locals about that.

Me, I look at the leaves.

Thanks much Oss

In the meantime however if you run onto any sort of rule-of-thumb guidance I'm always receptive

There is no rule. Plants (differing plants with varied tolerance) need water in (differing climates and even microclimates) in differing soils (clay to sand) that may or may not have been adjusted with amendments. This can all happen on one property.

I don't think you want to get into evapotranspiration rates. I once had to estimate water usage for a year for a large project. This was before programs for all this. Took me fifteen hours. I think you want your plants to live. Talk to local people.

I sure don't but thanks for today's new word. It's not everyday…..

1. The combined processes of evaporation, sublimation, and transpiration of the water from the earth's surface into the atmosphere

http://onelook.com/?w=evapotranspiration&ls=a

Now have two more to look up

Oss I can well believe that, knowing the many factors involved