e Craig's (welcome, by the way) intentions are well received. However, he is simplifying, as we usually have to when we want to get our brains wrapped around complicated concepts. If we all had a 52 week growing season; rainfall evenly distributed from week to week; 50% humidity; day temps between 70 and 80 with night temps between 50 and 60; no more than 20% shade; and deep, loamy soil with 5% organic matter, I might agree with him. About half of Texas gets nearly 52 inches (or more) a year. Toward the east they get a lot more than 52 inches a year. Toward the west, a lot less. Toward the east there is more organic material in the soil. Toward the west there is either pure sand or sand covering caprock or alkaline gumbo (sometimes called caliche). Toward the east the humidity goes to 80%. Toward the west it is usually limited to 30%. Toward the east the hot summer day temp seldom passes 95 degrees. Toward the west it reaches 105 easily. In the Hill Country the soil sometimes has negative depth (protruding rocks) while the soil on either end of the state is much deeper.
If I could count on our expected 30 inches or so of rain to fall evenly divided by 52 weeks, I would probably not have to water. Better yet if I could count on the rain falling more heavily weighted toward the hotter time of year, that's even better.
If we all grew plants native to our specific neighborhood climate, I might agree with him. St Augustine is native to South Africa. In our climate if it does not receive water for several weeks, it dies. You could argue that St Aug is not a good species to have here, and that's a good argument; however, the problem is there are millions of St Augustine lawns across the South. Maybe some day we will all have to forgo the luxury of St Aug, but for now the reality is we must water about an inch a week during our respective growing seasons.
Quote: May I suggest, try watering warily:
1. Water only as needed. We would like to.
Quote: 2. Water only where needed, not on paved areas. I think this is universally accepted in Texas.
Quote: 3. Use methods that minimize waste such as drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and night watering if using sprinklers. Great idea. I agree.
Quote: 4. A schedule of occasional heavy watering is considered far better than frequent or light watering. Absolutely!
Quote: 5. Try to wait for rain, watering carefully only as needed for survival. I've given up on this one. I tried it a couple years and this year have gone back to weekly watering unless the rain hits by Tuesday evening. Otherwise, I'm watering Tuesday evening.
Quote: Initially, some areas and plants may demand water sooner. Delay as much as possible, but don't lose your plants. Do keep stretching the intervals. The plant's roots will be encouraged to grow deeper to find the ambient water for its survival. Eventually, as the plants improve, you will even go weeks between waterings! This has always been my advice, too. And it has been pointed out to me that it suffers from being a little too simple. If you live in arid sandy El Paso the situation will be much different than if you live in rainy organic Orange.
I realize there are plants that can live off the moisture in the dew and the air. But if we want to eat fruit and veggies, we must irrigate.
It's really hard to find a good map showing precipitation, but here's a pretty good one.
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