The most critical aspect of soil composition
is its' Hydraulic Conductivity, or the rate
at which water will flow through the soil when
that soil is saturated.
Within each of the twelve Soil Composition Groups
the Hydraulic Conductivity Rate [HCR] varies
as much as 1,000% and more.
Yes, the flow rate within
the "Silty Loam" group varies from 0.07 in/hr
to 1.20 in/hr (that is a 1,714% variance).
Obviously we need to get closer than just identifying the
soil composition group, if we want to accurately
plan our irrigation application rate and run time.
Without accuracy, we have no chance of predicting how
deep water moisture will permeate a soil during an irrigation.
Preventing unnecessary evaporation is key to reducing wasted
water during lasndscape irrigations. Moisture needs to be
deep
(6 to 12 inches) in order to shield moist soil from evaporation
Shallow watering creates shallow root systems
that need more frequent irrigations
The single most important aspect towards healthy plants
is building healthy root systems!
The two most critical aspects for plants having a healthy & vibrant root system;
are the type of soil they are growing in, and how that soil is irrigated.
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It matters a lot that
Moisture is 12 inches deep
not 5 or 20 inches
Guessing at the rate of moisture movement in a soil
may be a popular method for some to design the drip
emitter layout and schedule watering intervals.
It is not a professional or successful method.
The only way the "guess" method works is with luck!
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A poorly designed irrigation system often
produces results like this
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Look at the difference between these two plants!
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This same genus & species is thriving with proper irrigation
designed for the existing soil composition. You can see how,
even though drought tolerant, they benefit greatly from proper
irrigation that produces large healthy root systems.
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An Irrigation System designed
to match soil composition
Provides healthy root systems
for healthy plants
AS WELL AS
Deep moisture protected from evaporation
Easily saving 30% of landscape water use!
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These are the reasons that the
Irrigation & Soil Calculators
require
Sand-Silt-Clay % Mix
Proper irrigation means much more
than being frequently watered!
Two critical parameters of a healthy
root system is their depth and spread.
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Soil Settlement (Jar) Tests take about 5 minutes to complete.
If you have a larger landscape, and the composition varies - it
is advisable to perform a Jar Test in another area.
A convenient way to save these the Test Reults is to
perform a "print-screen" following the completion
of the Jar Test Analyzer.
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It's not difficult to find out
which type soil composition
you have - as well as
the Hydraulic Conductivity Rate
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