Hello fellow tree enthusiasts! Fall has reached us in the mountains of Lake Tahoe. With the cooler weather, landscape trees and shrubs do not have the water needs they did during the summer months. Irrigation systems should be adjusted according to the temperature fluctuation. This is a challenging time of year if we are to achieve optimum performance from our landscaping. Cool temperatures in the morning (below freezing) slow photosynthesis causing the plant to reduce its water intake. Duration times should be cut back to half the amount of time that was programmed in the summer months. I recommend early morning irrigation scheduling be moved to the afternoon when temperatures are warmer. This will also prevent icing on plants and paved surfaces.
The days of the week for watering should be reduced, instead of watering daily, plants need watering every other day or less depending on the forecast. Most new irrigation timer boxes now have a feature such as a “rain delay” and can sense moisture in the air. This feature interrupts the system program so that over watering does not occur. Most landscape professionals will adjust your irrigation timing during the fall. Unsure? Give us a call at Arbor Green if you’re in the Tahoe area, we will do a diagnostic evaluation of your entire irrigation system and ensure your trees and shrubs are on the proper path to optimal health and vigor.
