How much water for new plants

[webegrumpy]

I know this question has a lot of variables but I will get it started. What is the recommended way to irrigate new plants that are surrounded by rock. This is 1.5" limestone over fabric with many barberry's, lily's, hostas and assorted grasses.

Also, what is the required amount of water to get these plants to survive. I am in Minnesota and the plants were installed in Sept and the weather was pretty dry at the time. In the spring what would the best way be to keep these plants healthy.

I know the rock will retain heat and dry the plants if not watered sufficiently. I'm just looking for some expert advice on watering to keep them going.

Thanks

[AI Inc]

Well what is the soil structure under the rock?

[Mike Leary]

Research the soil and plant needs. Get a Lincoln moisture probe, all sprinkler techs should have some sort of a unit like it.

[webegrumpy]

The soil beneath is black dirt. It was hauled in prior to planting. What would be a good nozzle size for an area like this using the Hunter PGP?

Thanks

[AI Inc]

Originally Posted by webegrumpy

The soil beneath is black dirt. It was hauled in prior to planting. What would be a good nozzle size for an area like this using the Hunter PGP?

Thanks

If drip is not an option then a bubler would be the way to go. Others will disagree.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by AI Inc

If drip is not an option then a bubler would be the way to go. Others will disagree.

What ever happened to pop-up 12" spray heads, copper risers in the center with brass nozzles?

[Kiril]

1) What the hell is black "dirt"
2) Why would you irrigate it with a rotor?
3) Why wasn't SDI installed?
3) Consider calling someone qualified to do the work?

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by Kiril

1) Why would you irrigate it with a rotor

A single-stream rotor is death to plantings, however, multiple pattern rotors (Stream-Rotors, MPs), properly designed, work well in plantings and trees.

[webegrumpy]

Topsoil in Minnesota is black dirt. I am in total agreement with the SDI. I did the plantings and another irrigation "specialist" put in the sprinkler system. I already see the plants dying and have had the conversation with the homeowner. I am just trying to gather a little information from real experts to go back to him with.

Any advice will help.

Thanks

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by webegrumpy

Any advice will help

You, the sprinkler installer, and the client are all screwed because of a lack of knowledge about what is really entailed in a professional landscape installation. Sorry, I've seen it many times.