Why It’s Important To Switch To Hand Watering
September does not bring a shortage of rain to our area, so you might be wondering why we would recommend hand watering, or watering of any kind for that matter. It is important to remember, especially if you are new to living in Florida, that for much of the summer Florida experiences drought conditions. This is the reason why many counties, such as those we service, have water restrictions. When the rainy season ends, many of our clients still need to water their landscaping to keep it looking beautiful or possibly to bring it back to life.
When to Hand Water
There are many reasons we would suggest hand watering, including:
Potted Plants or Flowers
Potted plants and flowers should be watered on a regular basis, and many of these species cannot survive the constant soaking from an irrigation system. Using a hose with a gentle spray or watering can is recommended.
New Shrubs or Trees
Although it is not ideal to plant new shrubs during the summer or extreme heat, at times it cannot be avoided. New plants need to be hand watered daily for the first few months. If they are not reached by an irrigation system, you will need to continue to water by hand.
Dead Grass
If you are seeing dead grass, it is important to water the soil by hand as much as possible. This can help prepare the soil when new seed is planted in the fall.
When to Use Irrigation
It is important to remember if you have placed new sod you are exempt from the water restrictions. Be sure to check with your county for the specifics, but you are able to water your new sod to allow it to grow strong roots and prevent shrinking or drying in the hot, Florida sun.
If you have any questions about hand watering versus using your irrigation system, are unsure of your water restrictions or are interested in learning more about which irrigation system would be best for your property, we are happy to help. At Challenger Irrigation, we are happy to serve Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, and Citrus counties.
