Irrigation Design and Installation Installing irrigation greatly increases the chances of successful establishment. A drip system with emitters placed every five feet and a few inches from the base of each plant is sufficient. Install irrigation after site preparation has been completed and before planting begins. Step 3: Hedgerow Installation Fall is the best time to plant hedgerows. In California, October 15 through November 10 is typically a time when growers can divert attention from harvest to planting habitat. This allows the native plant species to establish deep root systems before the hot and dry summer season begins. This is subject to change based on annual weather events. Plants can be planted linearly to create a hedgerow or in a serpentine fashion which essentially creates parallels of hedgerows. The recommended mix of plants contains species that have a wide range of sizes when they reach maturity. To install these plants in an efficient manner, each species will be categorized as large or small. The exact order or placement of each species doesn’t matter as long as they alternate between small and large. Plants should be spaced five feet apart. Planting should occur as quickly as possible upon delivery. If the project installation happens over multiple days, plans should be made to properly stage unused plants so they can be watered. Each plant should be carefully extracted from the container to ensure the root ball remains undisturbed. The size of each hole will be determined by the size of the plant. Each hole should be about twice the size of the plant’s root ball. Plants can die in as little as eight hours after planting so extra care should be taken to pre-irrigate each hole and/or irrigate immediately after planting. Dry soil will have a desiccating effect on the root zone.
Management 0 to 12 Months After Installation
Regularly surveying the site for weeds is critical during the first year of establishment to prevent weeds from outcompeting the plants before they have fully matured. The more attention spent on weed control and proper irrigation while the plants are still young and vulnerable, the better the habitat will be throughout their lifetime. While native plants require less maintenance over time, the installation of any new habitat will require some attention to ensure its success. 12-24 Months After Installation Surveying for weed re-establishment should continue throughout the lifetime of the project. Management activities, including spot mowing or targeted spot herbicide treatment, should be anticipated to keep control over weeds and prevent re-establishment or spread. However, once the habitat reaches maturity, management actions will be greatly reduced as the desired vegetation will naturally outcompete weeds. Targeted herbicide treatments, like spot spraying resistant weeds, can occur if needed. Irrigation The species recommended for pollinator habitat are native to the Central Valley of California and have evolved to tolerate dry and hot climates. However, installing irrigation dramatically increases the chance of successful establishment, particularly during drought years. Irrigate during the non-rainy months (May - September) for the first two or three years. If experiencing drought, irrigation will also be required during the rainy season (November - April). It should be noted that the first year, and especially the first six months, poses the highest risk for plant survival. The root zone of specimens planted in the fall should remain moist until seasonal rains occur. Once plants reach maturity, adequate irrigation can range from as little as one to three times per month during the dry season (May - September) and zero times per month during the rainy season. The frequency will vary depending on soil types. The following chart serves as a general guideline for how many irrigation events are necessary.
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JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025
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