How long to set sprinklers on hydrangeas?

[Anonymous]

I bought an oscillating sprinkler to set on my hydrangea groupings so I don't have to water them by hose all the time during the summer. How do I figure out how long I should let the sprinkler run for?

[Anonymous]

You are better off running them less frequently but watering for longer, than the other way around. You want them to put down deeper roots, which will serve them better in the longer run.

You want them to get about an inch of water per week. Water maybe twice a week (if they're established plants; new ones should be watered more frequently).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are better off running them less frequently but watering for longer, than the other way around. You want them to put down deeper roots, which will serve them better in the longer run.

You want them to get about an inch of water per week. Water maybe twice a week (if they're established plants; new ones should be watered more frequently).

How do I figure out how many minutes equates to an inch of water? They were planted last year so they are newer, I was thinking I would water them 3-4 times a week in the summer.

[Anonymous]

In 20 years I have not watered my hydrangea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are better off running them less frequently but watering for longer, than the other way around. You want them to put down deeper roots, which will serve them better in the longer run.

You want them to get about an inch of water per week. Water maybe twice a week (if they're established plants; new ones should be watered more frequently).

How do I figure out how many minutes equates to an inch of water? They were planted last year so they are newer, I was thinking I would water them 3-4 times a week in the summer.

Take a few empty containers, mark say 1/2 inch on them, and place them evenly spaced across your hydrangea bed. Run your sprinkler, and start a timer. Once the water in the containers hit the 1/2 inch mark, stop the timer. This will also help you figure out how to place your sprinklers so you water them evenly. A bit over is fine; hydrangea generally really like water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 20 years I have not watered my hydrangea.

Same, until this year. I have new ones I’m trying to get established and May has been sooo dry.

Normally we get plenty of rain in our zone.

- np

[Anonymous]

we just want a time ...10 min, 1/2 hour, 2 hours....why is that so difficult??? you are all over thinking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we just want a time ...10 min, 1/2 hour, 2 hours....why is that so difficult??? you are all over thinking

Truth is, no one can really tell. A lot depends on water pressure, how close the sprinkler is to the plants, what time of day you water, the type of soil you have, whether it is mulched, etc. If I had to pick a number, I'd say water 1/2 hour, 3x a week, and to do it early in the morning, before the sun comes up, or close to dawn.

[Anonymous]

I just watered mine yesterday for 1/2 hr -45 minutes, planted last year. I only water when the leaves start curling in (if they were planted this year, I would water every 3 days for 1/2 hour in this heat). I used a sprinkler, so not direct water on them for the 1/2 hour.

[Anonymous]

Drippers would be best.

Slow deep drip, not too often