Make the most of your irrigation; Green Acres offers free workshops
What month is this? These Easter lilies bloomed in July in Sacramento. Like all lilies, they appreciate consistent irrigation. Debbie Arrington
July is Sacramento’s hottest month of the year – and when we use the most outdoor irrigation.
Are you getting the most out of your sprinklers or drip system?
Now is a good time to do a quick check-up of your irrigation system – if you haven’t already. Walk around your landscape while the system is running and take note of which heads are doing what – are they blocked by foliage, gushing geysers into the air or not working at all?
With drip systems, hunt for dry spots where emitters may be blocked. Plunge a moisture meter or 6-inch screwdriver into the soil; if it’s too dry, there may be an issue.
One easy fix that will save water: Upgrade to high-efficiency rotary sprinkler heads. These rotating nozzles put out streams of heavy droplets that allow for better coverage and less evaporation than traditional spray heads. They can be installed with a screwdriver. Rebates may be available; check www.bewatersmart.info.
Just make sure to change all the heads on an irrigation station. A mix of heads makes for uneven distribution – dry spots and wet spots – and an unhealthy landscape.
Want to learn more about irrigation? Get answers to your watering questions? Check out these free workshops Saturday at all locations of Green Acres Nursery & Supply.
At 10 a.m. July 8, every Green Acres will host “Irrigation 101: Water Efficiency,” an information-packed seminar that simplifies this essential topic. Green Acres irrigation experts will walk participants through the steps of retrofitting sprinklers and upgrading technology. They’ll also answer questions about specific circumstances. Green Acres stocks many of these irrigation components and staff will help participants pick out the right parts for their irrigation needs.
Green Acres nurseries are located in Sacramento, Auburn, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rocklin and Roseville.
For more details and directions: https://idiggreenacres.com/.
Comments
0 comments have been posted.Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
Local News
Thanks to our sponsor!
Sites We Like
Garden Checklist for week of April 21
This week there’s plenty to keep gardeners busy. With no rain in the immediate forecast, remember to irrigate any new transplants.
* Weed, weed, weed! Get them before they flower and go to seed.
* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.
* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.
* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.
* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.
* Spring brings a flush of rapid growth, and that means your garden is really hungry. Feed shrubs and trees with a slow-release fertilizer. Or mulch with a 1-inch layer of compost.
* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.
* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.
* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.
* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, radishes and squash.
* Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.
* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.
* Mid to late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.
* Transplant lettuce seedlings. Choose varieties that mature quickly such as loose leaf.
Powered by California Local
