Attention: Have you seen the water smart ambassador? This looks like a great summer job. Except, have you seen the sun? Has anybody had to irrigate their orchards this year? Anybody watering their lawns?
Don't get me wrong. I have turned the water on to the front half of the property and test fired the irrigation. It’s just that the cheque we just wrote for the water bill had surpassed the one we wrote for our property taxes. In 10 years, it has doubled several times. That's my gripe, so on a positive note it is fine water. And there is lots of it this year. We live in the Interior wet belt.
You might be surprised at how little water the orchards really use. Many farmers have invested in micro irrigation systems that have all been developed in places like Israel where water really is in short supply. In the summer of 2002, we planted about 1,500 cherry trees. They were all watered in at planting and we then installed a drip irrigation system. It was as expensive as the trees. We ran it three times the first year. Longer, deeper waterings promote a more resilient tree.
As a participant in the provincial government's Environmental Farm Plan, we began recording irrigation volumes and usage. Since the initial planting we have removed some of the cherries and replaced them with apricots and peaches. If the average tree gets watered (during fruit sizing) perhaps every other day, one could calculate something like eight U.S. gallons per tree per irrigation. You may calculate the total water usage if you are interested. I digress.
At this time of year, many locals are wary of planting. I haven't figured it out. Containerized nursery stock benefits from being planted into the earth at any time of year. You are buying and planting a tree or shrub with 100 per cent of its root system intact.
Sometimes trees can get transplant shock. There would have to be a reason or a cause for this. You can minimize this by not doing 60 miles an hour down the highway with your trees hanging out of the back of your truck. The old adage of planting a $10 tree into a $20 hole still holds true. Dig wider but not deeper. Add some good compost and some bone meal for the phosphorus, which aids in root development. Mix your 25 per cent amendments with 75 per cent native soil because the tree will have to grow into the native soil at some point.
Soak the planting hole, tree and all down well to get all the air pockets out of the ground and then monitor it often. Allow to dry between waterings.
If you are growing anything in a bigger container, use a well drained mix. Gravity will always pull water down and through even the smallest of holes.
If you have automatic irrigation that comes on with a timer, place some coffee cups out to quantify exactly how much water you new trees and shrubs are getting from the system. Try to locate the trees and shrubs out of direct spray patterns and if possible run them early mornings so the leaves will dry faster. This helps prevent fungal disease from starting. It is always a good idea to stick your finger into the soil and determine if a plant is actually getting wet. You could use a shovel in the garden to dig down a bit and have a really good look.
Hanging baskets and potted plants can be picked up anytime for a weight/water check. Often, the colour of the soil will indicate that a plant needs watering. Remember the three rules of watering — water thoroughly, allow to dry between waterings and monitor often.
Hoping to use the orchard irrigation system sometime soon!
Evan and Wendy Davies own Beltane Nursery at 2915 Highway 3 in Erickson.