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Finding efficient ways to keep new transplants and trees properly hydrated and healthy can be quite a challenge.

Around here a lot of our trees are not close to a water source so we are constantly hauling water in buckets to different corners of the property. We've also experience long periods of drought in the summer that can quickly turn any non mulched surfaces into something looking like a scene from Mad Max (the 80's version).

When watering a lot of the water that hits the surface of the soil is wasted, never making it to the roots of the plants. Using a drip irrigation method allows the water to slowly make its way deep in the soil into the the root zone. There are some really simple and effective ways to achieve drip irrigation for your plants and shrubs that don't require any fancy equipment. Here are two that we use quite frequently on the homestead.

I know that some locations impose water restrictions in the dry seasons so this is especially helpful if you fall into that category.

Buried Terracotta Pots

Take a terracotta pot and line the bottom with a layer of small pebbles to slow the water flow. Most pots have a drainage hole in the bottom that's a bit larger than ideal. The small pebbles will fix this.

Fill the rest of the pot with chunky stones. This will ensure that critters don't accidentally fall in and drown. Dig a hole close to the plants root zone. Fill with water and fill regularly. The water will slowly seep into the ground around the plants roots keeping it hydrated.

I like to just build them into my landscaping beds. I've noticed the pots will catch water from rain showers and then slowly distribute that as well. Every bit of help is good help around here! :) Remember to remove your pots before the ground freezes or they likely crack.

Five Gallon Pails

Everything I've read tells me that young trees need at least ten gallons of water per week until they are well established. To provide water in our orchard we use five gallon pails with holes drilled in the bottom to act as a slow drip system. These pails sit on the surface near the trunk slowly distributing water to the roots.

Drill or punch a few holes in the bottom of the pail (I used a 3/16 inch drill bit) or punch a hole with a hammer and nail . Line the bottom of the pail with some chunky stones. I do this so the bucket does not blow away when empty. Set the pail near the base of the tree and fill with water. Once it has emptied you can then move the bucket to the other side of the tree and repeat. I like this system because we are able to easily calculate that the trees have been given sufficient water.

Note: Not all pails are designed the same so if the pail is sitting too flat on the ground and just isn't emptying/dripping you can elevate it off the ground a bit with some wood or stones.

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Mulch

I should mention of course that mulch is an essential part of a good irrigation system. We place mulch around the trees to help lock in all that moisture we are feeding into the roots. We don't want all that precious moisture to evaporate in the heat.

Mulch does a variety of things including, insulating the soil from heat/cold, suppressing weeds, preventing compacted soil, and of course holding in the moisture.

You can use a variety of materials to build up the mulch around trees including: wood chops, bark, stems, twigs, leaves.

Piling up mulch around the truck can harm the tree so be sure to keep the mulch away from the trunk.

We've learned that mulch is an essential part of growing healthy plants and food. It helps with everything from preventing the germination of weeds, breaks down into a rich layer of fertile humus, protects the soil from erosion and compaction, helps retain oxygen in the soil and even provides shelter to beneficial organisms like worms. The downside is that slugs appreciate it too but that's another subject for another day!