Irrigation will increase production of large, high-quality fruits more than any other practice (especially for small fruits like strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries). You can get excellent results with an ordinary lawn sprinkler or soaker hose. To provide water most efficiently and avoid disease issues, apply water during the morning hours. Trickle or drip irrigation is also very effective and can be used any time of day. In general, if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week, add the amount of irrigation water required to bring the total to 1 inch. A 1-inch rainfall or equivalent irrigation will generally wet the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
For more good information on growing fruit in the landscape, visit the eXtension web page Fruit Growing by Region.
