Watering lawn and veggies in Northern California

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
hopeless_reckle San Jose, CA Jun 28, 2010

Hello,

I have read that an inch of water a week is enough for the lawn. I need some advice on how to ensure that I do this correctly and if these are the right guidelines. I believe I am in Zone 12 with clay-like soil. I have tried to amend the soil in my raised planter boxes for the veggies. The pittosporum are in the clay soil primarily.

Should I be watering heavy one day a week and daily to counter the hot conditions or just once a week in-depth?

Also, I have two other circuits in my yard for pittosporum eugenides and veggies (tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries, and herbs). Should I do the same thing here or something different?

Thanks and regards,

Christian



Post #7928672
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 28, 2010

Do you know what type of grass you have? Some are more drought tolerant than others, but 1 inch a week is a good starting point if you're not sure what you have, that's what I've heard as a general rule of thumb. I'm confused though about your zone 12...San Jose is in zone 9b in the USDA zones (maybe 9a if you're on the outskirts heading toward Gilroy, etc), or if you're looking at the Sunset climate zones you're in either 14, 15, or 16 depending on where in SJ you are. (most people around here are more familiar with the USDA zones...people in the west use the Sunset zones but outside the west they aren't well known)

Post #7929253
Quote
hopeless_reckle San Jose, CA Jun 28, 2010

Thanks for the help. Yes, zone 9a is right.

Not sure about the grass type. How would I go about making sure I figure out how much time it takes to get one inch of water?

Thanks,

Christian

Post #7929304
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 28, 2010

Easiest thing to do is get some containers with straight sides (empty tuna cans, things along those lines) and put them at various areas within the range of your sprinklers. Mark on them where 1" is, and pay attention to how long it takes to fill them up to that line (assuming you're doing the inch of water all in one shot once a week...if you're going to give it 1/2" twice a week then watch for how long it takes to fill them 1/2"). You'll probably find that cans in different areas fill up faster than in other areas, so you'll have to find a happy medium.

Post #7929348
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP