IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden Presented by AFAC Walter Reed Garden Volunteers Catherine Connor, Susanna McIlwaine & David Sachs 2/10/2018
Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation System with Rain Barrels Role of Ollas as a Sub-Surface Irrigation Method Suggested Resources 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 2
Irrigation as a Water Deposit Water supports vital plant functions: Photosynthesis Support / rigidity / turgor Transpiration Transportation of nutrients and sugars to various plant parts Vegetables Need at Least 1 of Water per Week 65 gallons per 100sqft 27 000 gallons per acre Photo by Francesca York 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 3
Manage Irrigation to Supplement Nature and Conserve Water Meet plant needs USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a/b, AHS Plant Heat Zone 6 & 7 (Arlington/Alexandria) Crops have different and changing H 2 O requirements (varieties, growth stage, roots) Soil types affect drainage & available water capacity Consider your garden s situation Micro-climates sun exposure; heat sources; wind patterns Local weather Supplement effective precipitation Gardening Methods in-ground/in rows; raised beds/in blocks; keyhole; containers; slope/terraces/swales; square foot; etc. Other water conservation practices mulches; cover crops/green manure; windbreaks; shade panels; etc. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 4
Growth Stage & Crop Specific Requirements By knowing the critical watering periods for selected vegetables, you can adapt the amount of supplemental water you add. In general, water is needed most for: germination of seeds (to 2-4 true leaves), immediately after transplanting, during the first few weeks of development while roots get established, during the development of edible storage organs. Remember that there is such a thing as too much water Critical periods for selected vegetables: Cauliflower: head development Cucumber: flowering, fruit development Eggplant: flowering, fruiting Lettuce: Head development; moisture should be constant Melons: Flowering, fruit development Tomato: Flowering, fruiting Peas: Pod filling 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 5
Soil & Water Relationship http://agriculture.vsu.edu/files/images/ special-programs/water-managementfor-raised-bed-gardens-revision.pdf 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 6
EXTRA SLIDE 1 Reprinted from dripworks.com Soil drainage classification from BSE-194 VT pub 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 7
EXTRA SLIDE 2 Typical water extraction pattern in uniform soil profile. Approximately 70 percent of water used by plants is removed from the upper half of the plant root zone. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 8
EXTRA SLIDE 3 http://extensionpublications.unl.edu /assets/pdf/g2189.pdf 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 9
EXTRA SLIDE 5 Gardening Methods 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 10
Irrigation Methods for the Home Garden DOs and Don ts Dispense H 2 O at the base of the plants Avoid wetting the foliage Wetting foliage wastes water and can lead to fungal diseases Apply H 2 O gently Avoid splashing or splattering Splattering can lead to soil borne diseases and erosion Check and monitor Don t assume everything is fine Use your finger or a moisture meter in several places 1. Watering Can 2. Hose (with some kind of nozzle) 3. Drip systems 4. Sub-Surface Irrigation 5. Sprinklers (overhead watering is not recommended early morning) 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 11
Additional Water Conservation Strategies COVER YOUR SOIL! Mulch Cover Crop / green manure Under-sow PROTECT FROM HEAT & WINDS Wind Breaks Shade Cloth 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 12
Irrigation at the Walter Reed Garden Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrels as Reservoir + Ollas for Select Crops
Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (1) Uses gravity to move water no pump needed Must select equipment correctly Must elevate reservoir and consider slope of the garden plot Moderately priced and effective for smaller sized crop areas Keep it simple A water reservoir, a structure to support it, piping & shut off valve, drip lines, timer (optional) & filter Screen Washer Built Into Timer When practical, fill the water reservoir with rain water harvesting techniques Keep the reservoir opening covered with mesh material/screen Top the rain barrel with a collar to collect rain water (alternatively fill with city water) 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 14
Our drip irrigation is controlled by timers. It is essential to select a timer specifically designed for a no-pressure (gravity fed) system. Toro 53746 Rain barrels are holding tanks for rain or city water. Capped with a rain catching collar most of the year. Plastic covers replace collars in summer heat to minimize the growth of algae. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 15
Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (2) Plan based on your unique situation Consider slope, intended crop, cost, level of automation, etc. Whatever your choices, select equipment designed for low/no pressure ½ main line tubing may be run length or width of the bed to be watered Run the branch lines off the main line ¼ soaker driplines come w/built-in emitters spaced every 6, 9, 12 Basic drip emitters at end of ¼ tubing water individual plants (peppers, zucchini, tomatoes) Secure the lines in place You will need miscellaneous tools 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 16
Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (3) Keep the filter clean Maintain the system Monitor for and remove algae development in the reservoir Check soil moisture in multiple locations and keep track of water dispensed Troubleshoot problems quickly Check for and fix leaks in the drip system or with the barrel s spigot Check emitters and lines for blockage Winterize the system (drain & store) Do season-start shores Clean the rain barrels thoroughly Check the lines 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 17
Ollas as Sub-Irrigation Method Olla irrigation is the most efficient method for maintaining soil moisture near field capacity and avoiding conditions of saturation or wilting point. Edible garden plants that have optimum soil moisture exert less energy drawing water and nutrients from the soil, grow faster and are less stressed. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 18
Ollas Take Many Forms 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 19
Ollas Are Buried in the Soil 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 20
Ollas Are Organized to Reach Plants Around Them 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 21
Ollas Need To Get Filled on A Regular Basis
You can Make an Olla With Terracotta Pots Test your ollas for leaks before planting and replanting each year! 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 23
Sub Surface Irrigation Planters (SIP) Not a subject discussed at this event But information available downstairs about DIY double buckets 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 24
Swiss Chard & Carrots Visit the Irrigation Ideas table downstairs. Potatoes Peppers Eggplants Bush Beans YOU CAN GROW MANY THINGS IN A FOUR GALLON DOUBLE BUCKET!!! Tomatoes 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 25
DOWNLOAD FILES FROM TODAY S AFAC PRESENTATION Or visit the public link: https://goo.gl/zddy8h 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 26
References & Handouts Online List of References on Facebook Arlington Garden Exchange https://www.facebook.com/groups /ArlingtonGardenExchange/files/ Available Today Ollas DIY (Native Seeds) Water Management for Raised Beds (VSU) Plant Spacing (Kansas State) Rain Barrel Making (Painting Table) and more 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 27