IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden

Transcription

1 IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden Presented by AFAC Walter Reed Garden Volunteers Catherine Connor, Scott McAttee & David Sachs 4/11/2018

2 Acknowledgment Of Sponsors 2018 Garden Talks happen thanks to the collaboration of: Plot Against Hunger Program Arlington Food Assistance Center Arlington Public Library Arlington Reads, Arlington Grows Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Volunteers Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Arlington/Alexandria Office 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 2

3 What we ll cover Concepts: 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 Irrigation Ollas as a Sub-Surface Irrigation Method Sub-Surface Irrigation Planters Using 4 gal. & 5 gal. Double Buckets to Grow Foodstuff Practice: Make a Double Bucket Planter Set Up a Drip Irrigation Line Learn How to Make an Irrigation Olla with Unglazed Terra Cotta Pots 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 3

4 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 gallons per acre Photo by Francesca York 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 4

5 Manage Irrigation to Supplement Nature in Meeting Plant Needs While Conserving Water Consider Climate (Arlington/Alexandria) U.S. Department of Agriculture s Plant Hardiness Zone 7a/b Average annual extreme minimum temps (7a: 0-5 o F and 7b: 5-10 o F) American Horticultural Society s Plant Heat Zone 6 & 7 Number of days >86 o F in an average year (6: ds/yr and 7: ds/yr) Your Garden s Microclimates Sun exposure, heat sources, wind patterns, gardening methods, effective precipitations Consider Soil Soil types affect drainage and available water capacity Consider Crops Crops have different and changing water requirements based on varieties, growth stage and root systems 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 5

6 EXTRA SLIDE 1 Our Climate Cold and Heat USDA Plant Hardiness Zones - Average annual extreme minimum temps AHS Plant Heat Zones Number of days >86 o F in an average year 6 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 6

7 Soil & Water Relationship special-programs/water-managementfor-raised-bed-gardens-revision.pdf 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 7

8 EXTRA SLIDE 2 Soil, Water & Roots Typical water extraction pattern in uniform soil profile. Reprinted from dripworks.com Approximately 70 percent of water used by plants is removed from the upper half of the plant root zone. 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 8

9 assets/pdf/g2189.pdf EXTRA SLIDE 3 Root Depth OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content =17837.wba 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 9

10 EXTRA SLIDE 4 Soil Depth Limitations Soil drainage classification from BSE-194 VT pub USDA NRCS National Engineering Handbook Irrigation Guide 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 10

11 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: Critical periods for selected vegetables: 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. blossom_end_rot_tip_sheet Remember that there is such a thing as too much water 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 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 11

12 EXTRA SLIDE 5 Gardening Methods 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 12

13 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) 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 13

14 Additional Water Conservation Strategies COVER YOUR SOIL! Mulch Cover Crop / green manure Under-sow PROTECT FROM HEAT & WINDS Wind Breaks Shade Cloth 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 14

15 Irrigation at the Walter Reed Garden Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrels as Reservoir + Ollas for Select Crops 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk

16 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) 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 16

17 Our drip irrigation is controlled by timers. It is essential to select a timer specifically designed for a no-pressure (gravity fed) system. Toro 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. 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 17

18 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 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 18

19 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 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 19

20 Ollas as A 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. 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 20

21 Ollas Take Many Forms 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 21

22 Ollas Are Buried in the Soil & Usually Given a Cover 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 22

23 Ollas Are Organized to Reach Plants Around Them 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 23

24 Ollas Need To Get Filled on A Regular Basis 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 24

25 You can Make an Olla With Terracotta Pots Test your ollas for leaks before planting and replanting each year! 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 25

26 You Can Automate Olla Irrigation Walter Reed Garden plans to experiment with this in 2018 Build smaller, fully sealed ollas. Connect them to a water source. Such pots can be completely buried. Have gravity fill the ollas. Replenish the water source container. Thomas Bowes on YouTube /11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 26

27 Double Buckets as A Sub-Irrigation Method Sub-irrigated_planter Sub-surface Irrigation Planters (SIP) Rely on wicking and osmosis to provide plants with adequate moisture directly at the roots. The top/inner bucket serves as a planter while the bottom/outer bucket serves as the reservoir. Sometimes (erroneously) named self-watering these planters can come in many different sizes. SIP can also be made with one container, where the water compartment is isolated from the planter segment by some kind of barrier. plants/self-watering-containers 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 27

28 Swiss Chard & Carrots Bush Beans Potatoes Peppers Eggplants YOU CAN GROW MANY THINGS IN A FOUR GALLON DOUBLE BUCKET!!! 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 28 Tomatoes

29 Upcoming Garden Talks April 18: Garden Structures for Support & Pest Control Learn to support tomatoes, vines and other crops, increase growing space and keep out squirrels and other critters. April 25: Balcony & Container Gardening Basics No room? No problem! Grow herbs, native plants, flowers and other edibles on your patio, balcony, front stoop, or back deck. May 2: Foraging for Wild Edibles Find edibles in our urban area, bay foraging in our wild (and not so wild) areas. May 9: Tomatoes Grow for Success Tips and tricks for getting the best out of your tomato crop. Fertilizing, pruning and recognizing pests and diseases. 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 29

30 DOWNLOAD FILES FROM TODAY S PRESENTATION Visit AFAC s Plot Against Hunger Gardening Resources at: 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 30

31 DOWNLOAD FILES FROM TODAY S PRESENTATION Or visit the public link: 4/11/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG Central Library Garden Talk 31