Florida residents get irrigation recommendations

After a six-year study, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has irrigation recommendations for establishing shrubs backed up with science. Ed Gilman, environmental horticulture professor at IFAS led the study.
The study’s objective was to determine how best to irrigate shrubs during “establishment” -- the 20- to 28-week period when shrubs’ roots grow until the plant can survive without irrigation. The research examined irrigation frequency and volume on the quality, survival and growth rates of three-gallon, container-grown shrubs. Plants were examined in Fort Lauderdale, Balm, Apopka and Citra, locations that span three water management districts in Florida and have varied growing conditions.
Both native and non-native species were evaluated.
“One of the results that we noted was that there are no differences between native and non-native species for amount of water required for establishment, “Gilman said. “This often surprises people, but it emphasizes that the Florida-friendly principle -- right plant, right place -- is worth following.”
Florida-friendly gardening means planting that accounts for site conditions, maintenance needs and local climate. Light, frequent watering is much more efficient and effective than applying large volumes less frequently.