Irrigation
Irrigation is one of three basic ways we save water,
the others being organic matter in the soil, and the use of mulch.
By using drip irrigation, we cut down considerably on evaporation
and can apply water alomost diredtly to the root zone of our plants.
These result in about a 95% savings compared to traditional
overhead watering. It also discourages weed competition.
Disease problems are reduced by drip irrigation,
as the soil is watered, not the leaves of a plant.
New arrangements for 2009 - 1/4" dripline in some places
and a valve for each 20' bed section.
From 2008
Here we show the irrigation "control panel".
Here are the connections at the head of each bed. In 2009, we will run one 1/2" feeder line
for each 20' section so that they can be controled separately.
In Bed 1, these are the 1 gph emitters placed
at the end of 1/4" tubing connected to the 1/2" distribution line. As seen
here, emitters can be placed at each individual plant
if plant spacing permits.
10/5/08 - Below is a picture of the supply hose
as it comes out the ground and accross to the Church spigot. We roll it up
and put it under the recycling bin when we aren't using it.
The second picture is of the irrigation feed and controls as they now
are -- we buried a hose to the west through the fenceline
to feed new beds, and will be removing the pressure control and
replacing it with simpler pressure limiters on each 1/2" irrigation line.
8/1/2011 ---
We're almost done with this year's irrigation. As we learn more each year
I hope to get it in before we plant the 2012 crops.
Here Jerry is pre-attaching emitters to 1/4" hose
sections which already have a transfer barb at the other end.
This makes things go faster at the 1/2" main line, and is a lot
more comfortable!