In Your Garden: Why Should I Water My Shrubs, Cactus, and Trees?
- Feb 22
- 1 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
By Ed Sieckert, MS Certified Professional Agronomist
Summer temperatures can often go above 105 degrees, and it will place a big demand on plants in your yard. We live in the Sonoran Desert and rainfall is limited or not at all.
Providing additional water helps the plants grow and without proper water plants will stress and die.
March To Do List
Turn on all drip emitters and make sure they are working
Replace emitters every 5 years. Why? Hard water minerals build up in the emitter and reduce water flow thus stressing plants.
Clean all water filters / Flush each line.
Turn on your timer to each valve and check it delivers to the shrubs and trees.
Fertilize all plants now and in September to stimulate good growth.
When to water
The Arizona Water Users Association provides an excellent workbook on how and when to water trees, cactus and shrubs. It is free to call 602-261-8367 for a mailed copy of “Managing Watering by the Numbers.”
For Example: A guide is provided just for Shrubs.
See p 9-10 Landscaping Watering by the Numbers
Arizona Municipal Water Users Association
Call for the free booklet at 602-261-8367, or in your browser type:
“Landscaping Watering by the Numbers.”
There is a simple table to help you calculate number of emitters, gallons/hr. and total run time. This
will save you time and money and return a beautiful yard to you.
Best wishes for a great growing season.
***********
