Xeriscaping

Environment

Xeriscape Gardening

Principle #5 - Water Wisely

Over watering increases the risk of plant disease. To encourage deep rooting and drought-resistance, water deeply, thoroughly, and less often.

Choose an irrigation method (hose-end sprinkler, automatic or drip system) that will water the plants in each area most effectively without water wastage.

How Much Is Enough?
The amount of water required for your landscape will depend on several factors: soil type, weather, location, wind exposure and type of plant material. Remember to group together plants with similar water requirements, and always water turf grasses separately.

A Kamloops lawn doesn't need to be watered every other day. It only requires about 2.5 cm (1") of water each week to keep it green (depending on weather and soil conditions). An empty tuna can is approximately 2.5 cm deep. Place several cans at different distances from your sprinkler. Time how long it takes to collect an average of 2.5 cm of water. Water this length of time once per week in the summer. Reduce this time by half for spring and fall.

All plants will require more supplemental watering for the first year or two while they are becoming established.

Do You Really Need to Water?
Try these tests:

Squeeze a handful of soil, if soil is too dry to form a ball then you've waited too long, if it forms a crumbly ball, it's time to irrigate. If it forms a ball and is slick, there is no need to irrigate yet.

If your grass readily bounces back when stepped on, no watering is required. If it takes awhile to recover, it's time to water. If it lies flat, you've waited too long.

Watering Tips

Water when the weather is cool and calm, early morning is best, followed by early evening.

Water close to the roots to avoid evaporation.

Stop sprinkling if the water is running off the area.

Remember to check your timer frequently, and turn it off when you don't need to water. It may not be necessary to water on rainy or cloudy days.

Water restrictions are in effect from May 1st to August 31st. No sprinkling or irrigation is allowed between 11am and 6pm (any day).

Water even house addresses on even days, odd addresses on odd days.

Any sprinkler used between 12 midnight and 6am must be controlled by a timer.

Consider collecting rainwater from your roof. A 100m2 (1000 ft2) roof will catch an estimated 630 L of water in the course of a 6.3 mm (¼") of rain. Roof downspouts can be extended to nearby plantings, or can be funneled into rain barrels or holding tanks for later use.

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Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
955 Concordia Way
Kamloops, BC V2C 6V3
ph (250) 828 3888
fax (250) 828 3640
email healthylandscapes@kamloops.ca

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