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Watering:
When
and
How
Much?
Obviously,
this
depends
on
the
type
of
plant
material
and
the
soil
conditions.
When
your
lawn
turns
a
dull
gray
green
and
loses
its
resiliency,
it
is
approaching
a
water
stressed
condition
and
should
be
irrigated.
Many
shrubs
will
droop
as
they
approach
an
absolute
need
for
water.
The
objective
of
efficient
irrigation
is
to
provide
water
only
to
the
soil
surrounding
the
root
area
of
the
plant.
To
accomplish
this,
do
not
apply
water
more
rapidly
than
the
soil
can
absorb
it.
At
the
very
first
sign
of
saturation
or
runoff
turn
the
water
off
and
allow
it
to
soak
in
for
an
hour
or
two
before
repeating
the
cycle.
As
a
general
rule,
established
shrubbery
requires
far
less
water
than
turf
areas
(grass)
for
stress
maintenance.
In
most
cases,
once
a
week
should
be
sufficient,
less
often
if
plants
are
properly
hardened
off.
Water
only
when
signs
of
stress
appear.
All
watering
with
sprinklers
should
be
done
at
night
or
during
early
morning
hours
when
wind
and
evaporation
factors
are
at
their
lowest
point.
Do
not
water
during
the
heat
of
day.
Unlike
sprinklers,
drip
irrigation
may
be
used
during
the
day
with
minimal
loss
due
to
evaporation.
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