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Happy summer in the state of Tennessee, let’s talk irrigation systems for the garden.
When we first moved here, we were amazed by the amount of rainfall, especially compared to the constant severe droughts we were used to. Those first three years felt like a honeymoon period with mild summers and no need to irrigate our crops.
We do mulch heavily, though, which is very helpful for keeping the soil and roots of plants moist longer, cooler during the heat, and warmer during the cold. I figured if the forest can thrive without outside sources, our crops should be able to do the same, at least to a point.
So, in our second year, I decided not to run any irrigation down to the growing areas. The only time we needed to irrigate was when the plants were young and needed an extra boost to get established.
Table of Contents
- 5 Easy Irrigation Systems For Your Garden
- 1. Drip Irrigation System
- 2. Drip Tape Irrigation System
- 3. Overhead Watering
- 4. Mulching
- 5. Compost
Fast forward to year 3 1/2…
…I am starting to reconsider some decisions that were made. We haven’t seen substantial rain in months and have been amongst a heatwave that has graced us with its presence for over a month. However, all crops do not look sickly or stressed. They are a tad droopy during the heat of the day, but still living.
When digging through the heavily applied mulch, I can still feel lightly moist and somewhat cool soil. That being said, I still decided to irrigate the last two weeks twice a week even though the plants did not show severe signs if distress.
Without having some sort of irrigation established, I had one hell of a time hauling multiple hoses and having to extend each one by hooking them up to each other. In other areas I had to haul five gallon buckets of water back and forth from the water source. This would not be a task of mine if we weren’t going through a heat wave and draught.
Let’s talk options because this is no way that I enjoy operating. How we can setup some sort of irrigation for times like these and some techniques to keep moisture and soil temperatures hospitable to keep crops alive without extreme stress. So let’s get started and smash the fear out of losing our crops that we worked so hard for. Irrigation can feel like a daunting task, but the good news is that we have options.
5 Easy Irrigation Systems For Your Garden
In no particular order…
1. Drip Irrigation System
Drip irrigation is a great and viable option. You can run poly line, which can be purchased in rolls. Then simply plug in emitters at each plant. There are several different types of emitters that deliver different forms of water and at different GPH (gallons per hour).
For example, you can use emitters that deliver a ‘fan’ or ‘bubbler’ of water with a higher GPH around fruit trees or emitters that just deliver a drip along the length of your beds.
Using emitters does have its downside when it comes to choosing an irrigation system.
I used them for many years and I was constantly finding failed emitters and emitters that just blew out. So, now comes the task of having to replace them. If you can get a new emitter to go back into the same hole and stay tight you got lucky. If the hole in your poly line is now too big for a new emitter, you will now have to go back to the store ‘with all the helpful employees nowadays’ and get some plugs. Then go back and put the new emitter in a new spot.
2. Drip Tape Irrigation System
This is a better option if you ask me. Drip tape can be purchased in rolls that have different emitter spacing, different GPH, and different lengths. I love this option due to the convenience and not having to replace plastic emitters while also having to remember which GPH emitter I used for a particular crop.
3. Overhead Watering
Overhead watering has its pros and cons. Some gardeners are strictly against it, while others use it with no problems. The main concern is that water on the leaves can act like a magnifying glass in the sun, potentially burning the leaves.
Additionally, certain plants, like tomatoes, don’t do well with wet leaves. However, many people use sprinklers on tripods with good results, and I haven’t heard any negative feedback from those who choose to overhead water.
4. Mulching
Mulching is essential for keeping the ground from drying out quickly, preventing weeds, and maintaining stable temperatures around plant roots—cool in the summer and warm in the cooler months. Mulch also adds carbon to the soil as it breaks down.
I prefer to use straw that hasn’t been sprayed, and I pile it on thick—no less than six inches, which I consider light. You might be surprised on a hot day to find that the soil under the mulch is much cooler than bare soil and often still moist.
5. Compost
Compost is also very important, playing a vital role in the equation of moisture retention. Before planting in a bed and before mulching, don’t forget to apply compost to your beds. More is always better. I also like to mix my compost with peat moss 1:1 before applying it to the garden bed. Peat moss helps to improve moisture retention and prevents nutrients from leaching out.
Simply add compost and sphagnum peat moss to a wheel barrow and mix thoroughly with a garden fork.
Water is one of the single most important factors in the garden. Listen to and observe your crops to know when they are thirsty. Finding a fine balance of not overwatering or under watering will become a new skill you acquire over time.
Remember that a stressed plant is not only unhappy but, will be more susceptible to pests and diseases. Water is life to all living beings and things, so keep praying for rain and doing your part in setting up a usable and beneficial water source for your crops.
Until next time,
Happy Growing Friends!!
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