How much do you water during the summer

AZDYJ2K 8/1/2011, 2:53 am

I wanted to find out how much you low desert dwellers water your SFG's? I have been watering only once in the morning, however, this does not seem to be enough the past few weeks so now I'm watering in the evening also.

Temps have been averaging high 100's during the day with high 80s/low 90's at night. Typical summer in Phoenix.

jkahn2eb 8/1/2011, 1:40 pm

I water once in the morning and I try to water at night. Haven't gotten soaker hoses laid yet so it's all by hand. Also got shade cloths over everything and most of my plants seem pretty happy. Even have tomato plants surviving with one producing little cherry tomatoes surprisingly. I'm still learning as this is my first real garden this summer.

**camprn** 8/1/2011, 1:46 pm

As many of you know but some of you may not, mulching will really help retain moisture in the mix AND keep temps of the soil lower. How much do you water during the summer Mulch

How much do you water during the summer Mulch

http://thailand.ipm-info.org/farmerfieldschools/08_ffs_guide.htm

jkahn2eb 8/1/2011, 1:57 pm

Agreed about the mulch. Was remarking to my wife last night to dig down a little and notice how cool the soil/Mel's Mix was a few inches down.

duhh 8/1/2011, 3:10 pm

I water about every other day or so. I have a mulch of pine needles and that seems to really help retain moisture. I go out and check the soil everyday so if it needs it, I water it, if it doesn't I don't. I also have shade cloth to help.

AZDYJ2K 8/1/2011, 5:27 pm

duhh wrote:I water about every other day or so. I have a mulch of pine needles and that seems to really help retain moisture. I go out and check the soil everyday so if it needs it, I water it, if it doesn't I don't. I also have shade cloth to help.

Do the pine needles decompose into your MM or do you remove them at some point?

duhh 8/1/2011, 6:11 pm

They have been on for a couple of months now and are still whole. I am assuming they will break down one day. I plan on raking them up to add more compost in the fall, but spreading them around again.

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