Sprinkler settings for flowers (design, best, areas)

[Drzy]

I have a sprinkler system with six zones, three for grass and three just for planting areas. Can anyone give me recommendations on how often I should water the planting areas, and for how many minutes?

The planting areas are a large mix of many different types of flowers, nearly all perennials. Plumbago, yellow bells, lantana, columbines, bulbines, verbena, sweet brooms, crepe myrtles, skullcaps, creeping jenny, and much, much more. I just set it up today to water for 5 minutes every single morning. Way too much? Too little? I have no idea, I just kind of randomly plugged the numbers in there.

[Reallybigshoe]

The answer to your question depends completely on how your planters are designed. I have put in water holding planters that only need a 10 minute fill once a week, and I've seen a bare dirt planter with lots of drainage that needed a good watering every evening.

The best way to tell is to stick you finger in the soil 1/2-1 inch and if it's damp, you've been keeping up on watering. The best way to conserve water (along with other benefits) is to use mulch in your planters. A 3-4" base is preferable. Make sure and 'turn' the mulch every couple of months. The breakdown that takes place fertilizes the soil, and the mulch itself shields the plants from extreme temperatures and over zealous evaporation.

I'm adding this question and answer to my blog, for those who are interested in more information like this - PM.

[Drzy]

There are no real planters, they're just buried into the ground. Two of the zones are relatively flat ground, while the other zone is at a ~20 degree angle.

Does it matter when you do the 1/2-1 inch finger test? 1 hour after watering? 1 day? Something else?

Will send the PM.

[Reallybigshoe]

Do the finger test before watering. This will tell you how the soil is fairing in between watering. If it's mud, water less - but if the soil is dry you should step up on the watering. The sloped zone is probably going to need a bit more water, especially if the soil is compacted. What is the soil like?