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IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden Presented by AFAC Walter Reed Garden Volunteers Catherine Connor, Susanna McIlwaine & David Sachs 2/10/2018
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IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

May 13, 2018

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Page 1: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

IRRIGATION METHODSfor the Home Vegetable Garden

Presented by AFAC Walter Reed Garden Volunteers

Catherine Connor, Susanna McIlwaine & David Sachs

2/10/2018

Page 2: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

• 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

Page 3: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

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

Irrigation as a Water Deposit

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Photo by Francesca York

Page 4: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Manage Irrigation to Supplement Natureand Conserve Water

Meet plant needs• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a/b, AHS Plant Heat Zone 6 & 7 (Arlington/Alexandria)

• Crops have different and changing H2O 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.

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Page 5: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Growth Stage & Crop Specific Requirements

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

By knowing the critical watering periods for selected vegetables, you can adapt the amount of supplemental water you add.

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Page 6: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Soil & Water Relationship

http://agriculture.vsu.edu/files/images/

special-programs/water-management-

for-raised-bed-gardens-revision.pdf

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Page 7: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

EXTRA SLIDE 1

Reprinted from dripworks.com Soil drainage classification from BSE-194 – VT pub2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 7

Page 8: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

EXTRA SLIDE 2

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Approximately 70 percent of water used by plants is removed from the upper half of the plant root zone.

Typical water extraction pattern in uniform soil profile.

Page 9: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

EXTRA SLIDE 3

http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g2189.pdf

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Page 10: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

EXTRA SLIDE 5 – Gardening Methods

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Page 11: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

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)

Irrigation Methods for the Home GardenDOs and Don’ts

• Dispense H2O at the base of the plants – Avoid wetting the foliage• Wetting foliage wastes water and can lead to fungal diseases

• Apply H2O 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

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Page 12: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Additional Water Conservation Strategies

COVER YOUR SOIL!

• Mulch

• Cover Crop / green manure

• Under-sow

PROTECT FROM HEAT & WINDS

• Wind Breaks

• Shade Cloth

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Page 13: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Irrigation at theWalter Reed Garden

Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation

w/Rain Barrels as Reservoir

+ Ollas for Select Crops

Page 14: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

• 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

• 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)

Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/Rain Barrel Reservoir (1)

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Screen WasherBuilt Into Timer

Page 15: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

• 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.

Our drip irrigation is controlled by timers. It is essential to select a timer specifically designed for a no-pressure (gravity fed) system.

Toro53746

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Page 16: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

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

Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/Rain Barrel Reservoir (2)

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Page 17: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Maintain the system

• Keep the filter clean

• 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

Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/Rain Barrel Reservoir (3)

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Page 18: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

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.

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Page 19: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Ollas Take Many Forms

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Page 20: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Ollas Are Buried in the Soil

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Page 21: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Ollas Are Organized to Reach Plants Around Them

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Page 22: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Ollas Need To Get Filled on A Regular Basis

Page 23: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

You can Make an Olla With Terracotta Pots

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Test your ollas for leaks before planting and

replanting each year!

Page 24: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

Sub Surface Irrigation Planters (SIP)

Not a subject discussed at this event

But information available downstairs about DIY double buckets

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Page 25: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

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Potatoes

Peppers

Eggplants

Tomatoes

Swiss Chard& Carrots

YOU CAN GROWMANY THINGS IN A

FOUR GALLON DOUBLE BUCKET!!!

Bush Beans

Visit the Irrigation Ideas

table downstairs.

Page 26: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

DOWNLOAD FILES FROM TODAY’S AFAC PRESENTATION

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Or visit the public link: https://goo.gl/zDDy8h

Page 27: IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden€¢Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden •Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden •Gravity Fed Drip

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…

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