How much water will be needed in a larger tree nursery?
Young trees in containers may need watering at intervals from twice a day to twice a week, depending on the species, the container size, the potting mix and the weather. Each seed tray or pot might take between about 10 millilitres (ml) and a litre each time, and there is bound to be some waste. Young trees in beds also need watering, usually a little less frequently. You could estimate the quantity at 10–20 litres per m2 of growing area. So a nursery with 20 m2 of beds and 1000 young potted trees might sometimes require as much as a thousand litres a day. Can I do anything to reduce waste of water? Yes, several things can be done, including: • storing water when plenty is available for times when it is scarce and demand is greatest; • channelling rainwater to help keep the deeper levels of soil moist, or using polythene sheeting to direct excess water into a collection pond; • using sunken transplant beds (provided that they will not become waterlogged): • avoiding over-watering the y
