Irrigation Question Should I water once or twice a week

[Duekster]

Originally Posted by Kiril

I have gone into this exact subject in detail on many occasions and am getting damned tired of repeating myself, especially with those people who don't listen (ex. axe)



Not necessarily true.



Not necessarily true.



True, but don't use the boots method of determining DU.



If this is how you are going to do this, you need to do this when the soil is at field capacity.



Why not just provide him with the formulas? Guess work ain't gonna cut it. At least get a simple soil moisture sensor.



The general framework is incorrect unless we all live on the same site in one really massive house.

Everything has exceptions and it was not intended to be a one paragraph replacement for 5 text on irrigation. It was designed to give a homeowner some guidance while I sipped on an adult tasty beverage.

[Duekster]

Originally Posted by Busa Dave

First water from 4am to 8am--why? This is the time of the day when the relative humidity is highest. This will enable you to get more water IN the ground in the least amount of time plus the wind is usually calmer so not as much drift. Here in DFW we always are fighting a water shortage so water smart. As a rule not knowing the exact environmental conditions you have or the soil type you want to use bigger droplets and apply water up to an inch or until refusal then stop. Set each station separately—I have some stations that run 16 minutes and some that run 50.

Water when it shows stress---sometimes that will be every 3 days if it is 105 with 30 mph winds at a 10%RH or 10 days---tough to tell...

Here is a pic of my turf that I keep myself—tif 419.

The 4 AM to 8 AM time is when the wind is lowest so that is a good recommendation for overhead type irrigation.

Run Time depends on many factors but with those settings, I assume it is sprinkler type. Rotors often need to run longer than spray heads.

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by Duekster

Everything has exceptions and it was not intended to be a one paragraph replacement for 5 text on irrigation. It was designed to give a homeowner some guidance while I sipped on an adult tasty beverage.

Yes I realize that, but it is important that people understand it is not as simple as you made it out to be, which I know you are well aware of. Generalized statements are OK as long as they are not generalized to the point of being inaccurate.

[Duekster]

Originally Posted by Kiril

Yes I realize that, but it is important that people understand it is not as simple as you made it out to be, which I know you are well aware of. Generalized statements are OK as long as they are not generalized to the point of being inaccurate.

Based Greensboro NC on clay soils, I do not think I gave inaccurate generalizations. Indeed, far better details than he was getting and willing to accept.

OK, if you water to the point off run off, then you should double check it later once the soil is at field capacity.

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by Duekster

OK, if you water to the point off run off, then you should double check it later once the soil is at field capacity.

You want to know your basic infiltration rate (steady state at saturation). You will hit this point faster if you start timing when the soil is at field capacity or above. Determining infiltration rates in unsaturated soils is anything but simple.

http://www.fao.org/docrep/U3160E/u3160e05.htm

[Duekster]

Originally Posted by Kiril

You want to know your basic infiltration rate (steady state at saturation). You will hit this point faster if you start timing when the soil is at field capacity or above. Determining infiltration rates in unsaturated soils is anything but simple.

http://www.fao.org/docrep/U3160E/u3160e05.htm

Thank you for sharing. Yes, dry clay will take about 1" per hour PR for about 45 mins and then it declines.

We know, that typical sprays will put out far faster than many clay will accept as they far exceed 1" per hour PR. Hence the soak cycle I infered and the run off observation. I would rather HO's run 5 mins with sprays 4 times than one time for 20 mins. You and I know which will be more effective use of the same water applied to clay. Is it enough, let the homeowner decide to add more based on his desired level of green provided he does not send water running down the streets.

Clearly, I consider myself a good irrigator but I am not even going to try to mince words with you. I already know I am effectively unarmed and willing to listen to what you have to offer.

However, My general advice to joe home owner was as helpful as I could be for a complete novice.

We are not talking about anything else here except getting water to the roots in this thread.

[Duekster]

Originally Posted by Kiril

You want to know your basic infiltration rate (steady state at saturation). You will hit this point faster if you start timing when the soil is at field capacity or above. Determining infiltration rates in unsaturated soils is anything but simple.

http://www.fao.org/docrep/U3160E/u3160e05.htm

is that mm per Hr?