Features of moisture-charging irrigation

Moisture-recharging irrigation is an important autumn process in agricultural technology, the purpose of which is to moisten the soil so that plants survive the winter without additional moisture. Unlike summer watering, pre-winter watering requires a lot of water. Moist soil conducts heat better and warms plant roots from the lower layers of the soil. This procedure requires following certain rules.

Purpose moisture-charging glaze

It's generally believed that additional watering of trees after autumn rains is unnecessary. However, if the summer was dry, autumn precipitation will be insufficient. Precipitation alone doesn't always indicate whether the soil needs watering. Two simple methods can help clarify this issue.

1. Dig a shallow hole near the trees and remove some soil. If it forms a firm ball easily, there's no need to water. If not, water it.
2. Remove the lump of soil from the hole and place it on paper. If it leaves a wet mark, no watering is required. If the lump is slightly damp but leaves no mark, reduce the amount of water by a third. If it falls apart, watering is necessary.

Moist soil prevents trees from drying out, as they also evaporate moisture in winter. Otherwise, the bark dries out, and the plants' protective properties are reduced.

Technology conducting

To ensure the procedure is effective, a number of rules must be followed. Knowledge of the soil's characteristics is also crucial. Areas with a high water table should be watered carefully, not allowing the soil to become wet more than 1 meter deep. Watering is contraindicated for heavy clay soils. If you overwater, you risk creating a swamp, which will kill your plants.

Recommended time Forirrigation

The optimal period is considered to be from October to November. Avoid heavy watering before the leaves fall. This will cause prolonged shoot growth and negatively impact the subsequent harvest. As soon as the leaves begin to fall and the air temperature does not rise above 5°C, the amount of water consumed by the plants decreases.

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Methods glaze

Pre-winter watering technology doesn't require any special equipment. All the necessary tools are readily available in every garden. Depending on the tool, irrigation methods are conventionally divided into:

1. Drip irrigation is suitable for all areas and is considered the most effective.
   In the absence of a special irrigation system, it is possible use hoses, in which holes are made. They are connected to the water supply or connected to the main hose and laid around the trunk.
2. Underground – used when the roots are located almost on the surface.
   Grooves are dug around the tree, filled with crushed stone or sand, and then watered. This method prevents crusting on the soil and enriches it with oxygen. During the winter, the wells are covered with peat.
3. Buckets and hoses – used on level ground.
   A small hole is dug around the tree and water is poured into it. Once completed, the trench is filled with soil. For larger areas and larger trees, hoses are preferred.
4. Sprinkler irrigation is ideal in areas on a slope.
   Water is absorbed evenly into the soil. The downside is increased air humidity, which leads to disease development.

A few days after watering, loosen the soil and mulch it with peat, humus, or leaves. This will provide additional protection for the root system, preventing it from freezing in freezing temperatures.