Hydrozoning—Locating Plants Wisely
To water as efficiently as possible, organize your landscape into hydrozones. Hyrdozones are watering zones in which plants with similar water needs are grouped together in the landscape. Watering needs are defined not only by tolerance to different water conditions (i.e. drought, regular rain) but also by plant type (i.e. tree, shrub, perennial, etc.).
Grouping plants with similar water needs will not only simplify your irrigation scheduling, but it will also ensure each plant receives the right amount of moisture, thereby leading to better landscape performance. Mixing plants with different water needs can result in over-watering of water-thrifty plants or under-watering of plants requiring regular moisture. Both situations could be harmful to your plants.
Check the Plant List for your plants’ water and cultural (soil, sun, shade, and wind) needs. Bear in mind this is not a complete list. You can consult your local conservation office, the Internet, library, local plant societies and clubs, or local nurseries for information on plants not included in the list.
If you have an existing system and have plants of different types with different watering needs on the same valve, you do not necessarily need to redo your entire irrigation system. Landscape Watering by the Numbers takes you step-by-step through changing out your drip emitters to irrigate more efficiently with the system you have.
Christina Klien
Water Conservation Specialist
City of Peoria