Determining a factor for landscape plants other than turfgrass, part 2: Observation-based approach

Adjusting the species factor, K_S

If your landscape consists of multiple species with differing needs for water, all of which are to be retained, assign an overall K_S as follows:

• Use the K_S for the species with the highest need for water, realizing that this will result in the overwatering of species with lesser needs for water.
• Or, use a K_S in the moderate range, realizing that this will result in the underwatering of species with higher needs for water.
• Or, after adding sprinklers or emitters to your irrigation system for applying water to species with higher needs for water, use a K_S in the moderate range.

Finally, if needed, adjust the species factor as follows:

• If, based on your previous experience, the species tends to need less water than the K_s reported in the table would seem to indicate, adjust the K_S slightly lower.
• If the need for water of the species in which you are interested is unknown — for example, because your previous experience with it is limited — adjust K_S to mid-range.
• If, based on your previous experience, the species tends to need more water than the reported K_S would seem to indicate, adjust the K_S slightly higher.

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