Drought and water restrictions in many parts of Australia have shown us that water is a scarce and precious resource. Many gardeners have found to their surprise that their plants survived, even thrived, despite receiving less water due to restrictions. In other words, most gardens are regularly over-watered. Just because water restrictions permit watering at a certain time doesn’t mean you need to water. And even where there are no restrictions we should all be doing our best to conserve water. Reducing the water you give your plants will also save your time, effort and money and you will still have a healthy garden.
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Western Australia: Residential Guide Victoria: Residential Guide
Water sensitive crops such as vegetables and some tropical fruits should be irrigated
| Soil Type | Value (mm/m) |
|---|---|
| Sand | 35mm/m |
| Sandy loam | 45mm/m |
| Loam | 50mm/m |
| Clay loam | 30mm/m |
| Light clay | 25mm/m |
| Medium to heavy clay | 25mm/m |
Most fruit crops and table grapes, most tropical fruits
| Soil Type | Value (mm/m) |
|---|---|
| Sand | 35mm/m |
| Sandy loam | 60mm/m |
| Loam | 70mm/m |
| Clay loam | 55mm/m |
| Light clay | 45mm/m |
| Medium to heavy clay | 45mm/m |
Lucerne, most pasture, crops such as maize and soybeans, and grapes
| Soil Type | Value (mm/m) |
|---|---|
| Sand | 35mm/m |
| Sandy loam | 65mm/m |
| Loam | 85mm/m |
| Clay loam | 65mm/m |
| Light clay | 55mm/m |
| Medium to heavy clay | 55mm/m |
Annual pastures and hardy crops such as cotton, sorghum and winter cereals
| Soil Type | Value (mm/m) |
|---|---|
| Sand | 40mm/m |
| Sandy loam | 70mm/m |
| Loam | 90mm/m |
| Clay loam | 80mm/m |
| Light clay | 70mm/m |
| Medium to heavy clay | 65mm/m |
Available Water (AW) is the total water available in the soil. Plants stress well before this level is reached.
| Soil Type | Value (mm/m) |
|---|---|
| Sand | 60mm/m |
| Sandy loam | 115mm/m |
| Loam | 150mm/m |
| Clay loam | 150mm/m |
| Light clay | 150mm/m |
| Medium to heavy clay | 140mm/m |
Learn how to work out the precipitation rate of your irrigation system with catch cups.
From Mr Retic YouTube Channel.
Watch Mr Retic install this system in a garden.
Check out this intro video on how to add clay to amend sandy soil.
Learn more about slow release fertisilers and the long term benefits.
Watch this video to learn how to use mulching effectively in your garden.
Explore the benefits of soil wetters.
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