Experts gave tips on effective watering of plants in the garden

In spring, it is important to properly organize watering in the garden, because mistakes can harm plants all season. Experts from the Cycle company, specializing in irrigation systems, told Izvestia on April 24 how to avoid defects and provide plants with optimal hydration.

"Many gardeners believe that the earlier they start watering the soil in spring, the better for the plants, but haste can turn into a real disaster. First of all, the waterlogging of the cold ground creates an ideal environment for root rot and the development of fungal diseases. The water, without being absorbed into the frozen ground, stagnates, depriving the roots of access to oxygen," the experts noted.

According to them, even if there is water in the soil, the roots in the cold ground are not able to absorb it, which leads to physiological drought when the plant suffers from a lack of moisture, despite its abundance.

Also, do not forget about the risk of spring frosts. Early watering stimulates sap flow in plants, making them more vulnerable to sudden temperature changes: tissue damage, slow growth, and even plant death. Experts explained that this can cause a delay in bud development in trees, which negatively affects future crops. They warned that cold soil and an overabundance of water create ideal conditions for the development of diseases. Therefore, it is good when the irrigation system is equipped with a timer that allows you to start watering at the optimal time. At the same time, the air temperature should consistently stay above +5... +10 degrees, since during this period the soil begins to warm up to +8 ... +10.

"The first watering should be abundant: for trees — to a depth of 30-40 cm, for other plants — 7-10 cm. After that, it is important not to overfill — the spring soil already contains enough moisture from the melted snow," the experts added.

They called drip irrigation the optimal solution for spring. It saves water, precisely measures its supply directly to the roots and allows you to automate the process.

"When designing such a system, it is important to take into account the location of all plants, since different crops and soil types require their own irrigation regime, this can be determined by dividing the irrigation rate by the drip capacity. The best time for watering is in the early morning, when evaporation is minimal," the experts explained.

When selecting the equipment, they recommended using opaque main hoses that prevent water blooming. For their tight fit to the ground, it is worth using sets of clamps and clamps. The adjustable individual drippers are versatile and provide the ability to adjust optimal watering for different plant species.

Depending on the type of plant, you should choose a drip tape with a 20-30 cm drip pitch for vegetable crops or individual droppers for trees and shrubs.

"A mandatory component of the system is a fine filter (mesh or disc filter). A pressure reducer will not be needed, as there are sets from the tank or water pipe that do not require additional pressure control. Additionally, you can set a timer with settings for the frequency and duration of watering for automatic irrigation control, which is especially convenient in case of frequent absence from the site," the experts said.

According to them, for additional water savings, a rain sensor should be installed — on the open ground — or a humidity sensor — for the greenhouse. Mandatory components of the system are a fine filter (mesh or disc) and a pressure reducer (optimal: 1-2.5 atmospheres).

Additionally, you can set a timer or controller for automatic irrigation control, which is especially convenient in case of frequent absence from the site, experts emphasized.

Earlier, on April 17, it was reported that since the beginning of the year, Russians have increased spending on gardening and garden supplies by 17%. At the same time, the number of purchases of such goods increased by 18%, and the average receipt remained virtually unchanged at 601 rubles. This follows from the data of the Postbank.