Instructions for watering raspberries in summer: frequency, abundance and methods
To get a bountiful harvest of raspberries, the gardener has to make a lot of effort. Raspberries are a capricious crop. It grows well and bears fruit only with proper care. One of the most important stages is watering raspberries in the summer. Simply irrigating a plant with water is not enough; summer watering has its own characteristics.
Features of watering raspberries in summer
The crop is sensitive to humidity, but the peculiarity of its watering is the rare and abundant moisture of the soil. Raspberry roots are located close to the soil surface. So that they can grow into its deep layers, they use just such a moisturizing system.
Basic Rules
To saturate raspberry bushes with moisture in the required amount, you need to remember a few rules:
- The soil should be dry to a depth of 5 cm.
- It is advisable to water the bushes in the morning or evening.
- You need to pour water at the root, otherwise drops that fall on the leaves can cause burns.
- A young plant requires more moisture than an adult.
- After watering, all weeds must be removed.
- Monitoring the level of soil moisture is mandatory, since the crop equally does not tolerate drought and excess moisture.
How much should you water raspberries in summer?
How often you need to water raspberries in the summer depends on the weather and climatic conditions of the region. The watering schedule is based on these factors.
Frequency and abundance of watering
The crop is watered at every stage of its growth: during flowering, when the ovaries are formed and during the period of fruit ripening.
There are general recommendations for watering raspberries in the summer, but you should also take into account weather conditions - air temperature and frequency of rain.
During dry summers, the plant is moistened more often; in the rainy season, there is no benefit in additional liquid.
The plant requires the greatest amount of moisture during flowering and fruiting.
In the middle lane In a normal summer, raspberries are watered the first time when the ovaries form, and the second time when the berries ripen. For 1 sq. m of raspberry bushes require 30-35 liters of water.
In the southern regions the crop is watered at least six times during the summer due to the heat and scant rain. The first watering can be done even before flowering. When the ovaries begin to form, the bushes are watered again. The third time is when the berries ripen.
After picking the berries, the bush will need moisture 3-4 more times.
The volume of water per 1 sq. m of raspberry garden should be at least 40 liters.
Reference. After watering, the soil under the bushes is loosened and covered with mulch. In this way, air enters the root system, and moisture in the upper layers of the soil is retained longer.
Water requirements for irrigation
Raspberries are sensitive to moisture, but not all water is suitable for it, especially hard water.
If your dacha has running water, tap water is pre-settled so that it becomes softer.
Most of all, the shrub loves rainwater.
The water temperature should not differ greatly from the air temperature, since the root system of the plant reacts very sensitively to temperature changes. Too cold water is not suitable for raspberries. To obtain water at the optimal temperature, it is collected in a tank, where it is heated by the sun's rays.
Methods
Water the plant in several ways. Each of them gives a good effect if used correctly.
Prikornevoy
This is the simplest method and is used in small areas. In this case, water is delivered directly to the roots of the plant.
Water is poured from a watering can or from a bucket under the root of the plant in a volume of up to 15 liters per 1 bush.
Along the furrows
On both sides of the raspberry bushes, at a distance of 40-50 cm, grooves up to 15 cm deep are made. Water is released along them until the required volume is poured out. The water pressure is adjusted so that it does not overflow the edge of the grooves.
After watering, the grooves are filled in and the soil is loosened.
The advantage of this method is that water does not fall on the leaves of the plant. The downside is insufficient control of the water volume, so there is a possibility of waterlogging.
Sprinkling
With this type of irrigation, water is sprinkled as rain over the plants and the soil surface. Use a hose or special sprinkler.
The installations are convenient because they can be moved to any location on the site; they consist of lightweight, collapsible parts. Special nozzles spray moisture at a distance of 5-8 m. Centrifugal nozzles are also used, which spray water across the diameter.
The advantage of sprinkling is the economical consumption of water, the disadvantage is the likelihood of waterlogging.
Drip
Using drip irrigation, water is supplied to the root system of the plant.
The drip system includes several elements:
- container with water;
- pump;
- water filter;
- distribution manifold;
- drip hoses;
- valves for controlling water flow;
- stubs.
The method is the most convenient and accurate to use. Using a pump, water flows from the source into the drip irrigation system and is supplied through hoses to the bushes.
Advantages of the drip system:
- possibility of adjusting water supply;
- dosed supply of water to the required points;
- water is supplied to the roots of the plant, and the row spacing remains dry;
- excess water consumption and waterlogging of the soil are eliminated.
The only drawback of this method is the need for electricity.
Nuances of watering for different stages
Raspberries are watered at different stages of the growing season. Depending on the variety or climatic region, all the features of the procedure are taken into account.
For remontant raspberries
There are a number of features when watering such raspberries. Too moist soil leads to a lack of oxygen, and the roots of remontant raspberries require active air exchange. The optimal soil moisture for these varieties is 60-80% of the lowest moisture capacity.
The greatest need for moisture in a remontant crop is before flowering, during the growth and ripening of berries. Water the plant so that the soil is saturated with moisture to a depth of 30-40 cm.
During dry summers, the frequency of watering is increased. The soil should remain slightly moist.
The most optimal method of watering for remontant raspberries – drip.
For different regions
In regions with different climates, crop watering differs mainly in frequency.
In northern latitudes, with short summers, early and mid-ripening varieties ripen. Melt water, which forms after snowy winters, minimizes spring watering, and in summer the plant is watered no more than once every two weeks at all stages of the growing season.
In the middle zone, watering begins in late May - early June. It is carried out once every two weeks for adult bushes and 2-3 times a week for young cuttings. The plant requires moisture during flowering, formation of ovaries and ripening of berries.
After watering, the soil is loosened and mulched.
In southern latitudes, water frequently and abundantly throughout the season. In the south, all varieties of raspberries ripen, from early to late.The plant requires moisture at all stages of the growing season. In the hottest areas, drip irrigation is used. Bottomless plastic bottles are also widely used. They are buried between the rows and water is supplied to them from a hose. This ensures constant soil moisture while the top layer is dry.
Important! If the soil does not dry out as a result of improper watering or prolonged rains, this leads to the formation of root rot and anthracnose. These diseases have no cure.
Tips on the topic
Beginners in gardening often ask questions: how does watering affect yields, is it necessary to water the crop while the berries are ripening, is it possible to combine watering with fertilizing etc.
Experienced gardeners willingly share their experiences:
- Lack of moisture can be easily determined by the appearance of young shoots. If they are short, thin and bend easily, then it’s time to water the plant.
- It is advisable to combine watering and fertilizing, since feeding Apply only to moist soil.
- Sprinkler irrigation is carried out only in the early morning or evening, when there is no direct sun.
- Water reaches the roots better when watering along furrows.
- To destroy pest larvae, raspberries are treated with boiling water from a distance of 1 m. This procedure is carried out in the spring.
Conclusion
Raspberries need watering throughout the season. The plant requires moisture before and during the flowering period, at the stage of ovary formation and during the ripening of berries. Taking into account climatic conditions, the correct choice of watering method, timely and necessary amount of moisture, the plant will delight you with an abundant harvest of sweet and juicy berries.