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Re: Trench irrigation

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Elizabeth:
I agree that sprinklers are very unsatisfactory, and that type of generalized watering encourages weed growth. 

What I call a trench can be described more as a lip. I drag just a little soil from the outside edge of the garden area (square) and surround each plant or a grouping of plants with a lip of soil. Then I lay the garden hose about 3 inches from the base or in the middle of a grouping. That prevents weakening the stalk or root system. If there is a weak spot in my "trench, I drag some more soil to that area. Sometimes I put a clod in the weak spot. 

I let water run (slowly, but more than a drip) in the trench until it begins to puddle almost to the top all around the plant or grouping. I live in Zone 6, and this method of watering means that I usually water again in 2 to 3 days.

Over time your planted areas will develop a shallow lip that holds just enough water to help the plants grow. This type of saturation watering helps keep the roots deep and prevents fungus on the leaves.

Let me know if some of this is not clear;-)
Sheryl
---
"Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her
patterns, so that each small piece of her fabric
reveals the organization of the entire tapestry."
-Richard Feynman

On Fri, 4 Jun 1999 21:09:49    Elizwelch wrote:
>Hi, Sheryl
>Could you explain the trench irrigation method you use in your sqft garden?  
>I find irrigation a major problem in my yard, and find sprinklers 
>unsatisfactory.
>TIA
>Elizabeth Welch
>Zone 6/7 (Long Island, NY)
>


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