Question
Hi!

Hope you are doing well! I have a question regarding the appropriate time of day to water and how long to water the plants and lawns during different times of year in Los Angeles. We have a gardener, yet he leaves the sprinklers running the same amount of time year around and our landscaping often looks moist, especially in the winter. The sprinklers are set for 15 minutes a day in a sloped area where citrus trees are and between 8-10 minutes a day where different types of trees, ground cover, some succulents (eschevarias) and grass is. I read that its best to water less frequently for longer durations so that plants do not suffer from root rot. We also have periods of extreme hot and dry temperatures so I want to be sure that things do not dry out too much. Our water bill has also been extremely high so we want to water just enough so that plants are healthy.

Thank you for your help!
LJ

Answer
Hell LJ

It would be advisable to water the garden during the early hours of the morning to avoid evaporation and to lower the risks of fungus developing on the grass. Around 15 mins in the height of summer would probably be necessary but the system should be turned off when it rains. The citrus trees will not appreciate that ammount of water as they are of Mediterranen/N.African origin and survive with little water. Allowing the lawns to become slightly brown at the beginning of the year will stimulate root growth- overwatering leaves the lawn vulnerable.

Top dressing the lawns in the fall with a soil, sand and peat mixture is one of the most important factors in improving lawn quality. Apply enough to just cover the soil and not to cover the grass completely. About 1 wheelbarrow every couple of yards will be fine. Also apply a potassium-based fertiliser to aid root growth and you'll need a lot less water and the lawns will look fantastic!Good luck!

Jonathan www.ecologicagardens.com