Proper irrigation is based on providing enough water to saturate the soil around the roots enough times per week for the season. This can be accomplished by different methods, from a hose to an automatic irrigation systems.

Quantity of water and frequency of irrigation are the two most important factors to proper irrigation.

The amount of water needed is based on the size of the plant, roots, and the water holding capacity of the soil type. The season and soil type are the two most important factors that determine how many times to water per week.

Irrigation Frequency per week and the Seasons

When Spring arrives, begin to water your apple trees once per week once they start to leaf out. As the weather begins to warm in Spring, increase water irrigation to twice a week. 

Summer time may require 3 to 4 irrigation sessions per week, especially during a heat wave. Reduce irrigation frequency in the Fall to once per week. Apple trees are deciduous, which means they will lose their leaves and go dormant in the winter. Discontinue irrigation water while Apple trees are dormant.

Reduce irrigation frequency to weekly during the winter for evergreen trees. Deciduous trees should not be watered while dormant in the winter.

Quantity of water needed per size and the Irrigation system  flow rate and run times

The plant size and soil type are the major factors that determine the quantity of wate to provide.

For a frame of referance

Smaller, 5 gallon size Apple tree  1 foot in diameter, so make sure to have a watering well (ring) that is about 3 times that. A 5 gallon bucket of water would be enough to reach any soil to saturation. Flood the well with a hose about 2 to 3 times to saturate the soil. A pvc bubbler with a flow rate of 2- 4 gallons per minute will only need to run for about 2 minutes to provide enough water to saturate. A sprinkler would run about 10-12 minutes.

Give a  15 gallon size plant about 5-15 gallons everytime you irrigation to saturate the soil around the root ball. 

 should receive plant has a rootball about 18” wide and 2 feet deep. The planting hole will be about 2-3 times the diameter as well with a ring built up above ground around the canopy to create a watering well. If using a hose flood 2-3 times. A pvc bubbler with a 

Irrigation types: Flow Rate (GPM or GPH) * time = quantity

5 gallon – should receive about 3-5 gal of water

15 gallon should get about 7-15 gallon of water

25 gal should get – 15 – 20 gallon of water 

Depends on soil type *

Irrigation System 

Hose – A watering hose is a least expensive and most simple way to provide water for your trees. However, make sure to create a wide ring with soil the diameter of the trees canopy to allow water to collect and drain to the roots. 

Although automatic systems may cost more to initially set up, however, they can save you time and reduce operator error as it’s easier to manage an automatic system rather than remembering to water.

Proper irrigation management requires providing the proper amount of water at the right time. 

The proper amount of water is determined by the size of the rootball and the type of soil.

The frequency is determined by the season, type of soil, and whether the plant is dormant or not.

Soil Type

Before watering, first, determine the type of soil you have.

There are three types of soil: Sand, Silt, and Clay.

Each soil has different properties and the size of particles that will determine the necessary amount of water and frequency needed.

Clay

The property of Clay consists of very small particles.  Smaller particles allow more space for water retention effectively increasing the water-holding capacity. 

Sand

Sand consists of large particles, which allow water to move more quickly through the soil, which will effectively lower the water-holding capacity.

For a frame of reference, consider how quickly water moves through the sand at the beach. 

Because sand has a lower water-holding compacity, it is necessary to water more frequently.

Silt

Silt is made up of rock and mineral particles that are larger than clay but smaller than sand.

Fruit trees and edible plants need nutrients to grow. This is called fertilizer and comes in different forms. Use organic manure, bone meal, blood meal, and humus based fertilizers. Apply fertilizers like manure along with a bone meal, humus based phosphorus fertilizer (1-2-2) NPK ratio in the late winter, right before spring growth. Reapply with organic high nitrogen (2-1-1) or fertilizers with a 1-1-1 NPK as directed by the label during the Spring and Summer growing season. Do not fertilize in the Fall, new growth at this time will be thin, lanky, and weak.

Prune fruit trees in the Winter to maintain size and shape to prepare for Spring growth. Thin the tree in the Summer, and remove excessive fruits. Remove any dry twigs and branches. Cut off any new growth below the graft or very low in the tree, this will direct the plant’s energy to its main branches. Thin your trees during the Spring and Summer seasons to ensure the plant’s energy is directed as desired. If the plant provides an overly large quantity of fruits for that branch. Reduce the quantity of fruit so that what remains grows larger. This will also prevent broken limbs. Harvest ripe fruit to prevent undesired pests.

The basics of integrated pest management is cleanliness and the use of a combination of methods. This means we use of organic pesticide when the pest population reaches a threshold that requires action. Horticultural oils such as Neem oil is an organic pesticide that controls tiny, soft bodied insects. Use organic Bordeaux and Liqui-cop to manage fungus causing diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and leaf-curls.

Keep a clean environment, free of weeds and dropped fruit that host insects or attract animals. Harvest when fruit reaches size and store indoors. Use repellants and bird netting to protect your harvest from other animals.