Irrigation water - how many minutes, how often?

[Petit Mousse]

I am posting this in the General Discussion Area because I have not found any information in the Gardening Section. My query is for the lower Chlorakas area, for summer and winter.

[Anarita John]

We have ours on for 4 minutes in the summer and 2 minutes from now onwards. Everything survives. When it is wet in the winter we switch it off. However, last year it was on for most of the winter. We keep an eye on our plants, and if one looks to be struggling, we give it extra water with a watering can. Likewise, when it was very hot in June, we gave extra bouts of 4 minutes by pressing the manual button.
It is surprising how well plants survive drought. A pink, very much like a carnation, but with more green leaves, survived the summer with a blocked spaghetti, as did a gardenia. We only replaced the spaghettis when we were out in November.

[olly]

Time it to come on at night so evaporation is minimal and it can soak down to the roots .

[emgee]

We won't water our garden now until April, no need, Meditteranean plants are bred to survive in Meditteranean climate.

Alan

[O2BinTala]

This will depend very much on the size of garden, type of irrigation system and type of plants. Palms, for instance, require a good supply of water.

My irrigation system has probes into the soil and water drips along the probes down to the root systems. It is "normally" set for 15 minutes every night going up to 20 mins when very hot and off when wet. Set at 15 minutes it provides about 100 litres overall, which is only a bit more than 4 full watering cans!

However, I agree with other posters; try a setting and watch the plants. Mine works for my setup and layout.

O2B

[emgee]

The bigger the tree, the deeper the roots.

Alan

[Aargent]

This will depend very much on the size of garden, type of irrigation system and type of plants. Palms, for instance, require a good supply of water.

My irrigation system has probes into the soil and water drips along the probes down to the root systems. It is "normally" set for 15 minutes every night going up to 20 mins when very hot and off when wet. Set at 15 minutes it provides about 100 litres overall, which is only a bit more than 2 full watering cans!

However, I agree with other posters; try a setting and watch the plants. Mine works for my setup and layout.

O2B

I couldn't carry a 50 litre watering can even if I could get one.

[ferret]

If I plant any new trees or shrubs I place a pipe, about a foot from the base of the plant and fill with stone. If the plant has potential to grow very large I use a bigger pipe and situate further away. I put my irrigation line in a hole at the top of the pipe and irrigate directly to the roots. You can also water with a watering can to boost supply down the pipe. Fertiliser can be added in the same way.

[Austin 7]

If I plant any new trees or shrubs I place a pipe, about a foot from the base of the plant and fill with stone. If the plant has potential to grow very large I use a bigger pipe and situate further away. I put my irrigation line in a hole at the top of the pipe and irrigate directly to the roots. You can also water with a watering can to boost supply down the pipe. Fertiliser can be added in the same way.

That sounds like a very good idea

[O2BinTala]

Aargent,

You are right!! For some reason I was thinking it held 10 gallons. It is, of course, a 5 gallon can.

O2B

[Drambuie]

A domestic water bottle is typically 19 litres approx or just over 4 gallons.

Watering can @ 5 gallon ?

I would have thought more like 1 gallon?