Re: What is drip irrigation?
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: What is drip irrigation?
- From: P*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 00:57:40 EST
In a message dated 3/14/99 9:01:40 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ajpalumbo@hotmail.com writes:
<< Hello Masterpumpkin and pumpkin growers. Last year I watered using
soaker hoses. I watered morning and night not really knowing how much
to use. Lately, drip irrigation has been a main topic. Could someone
please explain the method, process or idea of drip irrigation. Thanks a
million, Tony Palumbo
Get Your >>
Tony,
Drip irrigation is a term used for many types of low volume water
applications. A soaker hose is not practical in commercial agriculture because
too much water leaks out of them and you can only hook a few together before
nothing comes out on the far end. Drip irrigation in a field has two basic
types. #1 a large water line delivers water to the field. From there it is
split into smaller flexible water lines to deliver water to each row. The
smaller lines might be 1/2 to 3/4 " soft, flexible plastic hoses. A special
tool is used to punch a hole in the water line and an emitter or dripper is
snapped into the hole. A dripper might put out 1/2 gallon per hour. This type
of system is used where you have a low number of plants on a large area. You
just snap in a dripper wherever the plant is. The second type is flat plastic
drip tape that has holes already in it. There might be a hole that drips out
every foot, 18", or every 3 feet. You can get high or low flow rates depending
on the size of the holes. The holes are so tiny that you must have a filter on
your water line. T-Tape is a popular brand of this type of flat hose. It comes
in 2,000 to 10,000 foot rolls. I have a machine that lays drip irrigation
tape, puts 4 foot plastic mulch over it and covers up the edges of the mulch
with soil, all in one step. This type of system is normally thrown away at the
end of the year.....fun to pull up plastic. I have a machine to do that too,
but it is still a fun? job. In a greenhouse there are many different types of
drippers. I do not use drip irrigation on my Atlantic Giants anymore. I water
by hand when they are small and go to overhead watering when they start to
crawl. Drip irrigation is at its finest when used on high value row crops
where there are many plants per acre and a limited water supply.
pumkinguy@aol
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