Irrigation - water, precious water
At this time of year it becomes apparent that we spend a bulk of our time watering, trying all sorts of systems but there is an easier option. I have installed quite a number of irrigation systems & it has always been a very satisfying project, especially after seeing many of my clients dragging metres of hose throughout their garden & religiously checking the weather channels in wait of liquid gold which dictates the survival of our precious trees, plants & gardens.
Irrigation is another expense & often left out of a design to save some money, but in the long run I’ll get phone call, asking me for a simpler solution to the relentless job of hand watering during the dry months.
I will first make sure that the trees & plants I am going to irrigate are within their own bed with no grass around their base. In fact, the further away grass is the better the garden/trees will do, come summer when it’s dry, the grass is the hungriest & thirstiest & will drink up most of the water you are putting on your garden……… Hence the need for mulch or mat eliminating weeds competing for food/water etc.
The best type of watering in the garden in my opinion is micro-irrigation. (I use drip ez drip line, it has dripper holes 300mm apart)
Drip lines are set up in a certain way to directly drip onto the root zone of the plants/trees. Drip irrigation is the most efficient watering system & most ecological. A lot of evaporation happens when sprinklers are used thus becoming less efficient & if relying on tank water, efficiency is key! Wherever possible & working within a clients budget, an addition of a pond will become the biggest asset during these months.
Drip irrigation line is bought by the metre, when designing it you are best to purchase more than you need to be on the safe side.
The following diagram is an example of how I would set it up including the bits & pieces required to attach the pipe to your hose or tap. Take a walk around your proposed irrigation area using a measure wheel to get an approximate measurement. I like to install a timer which makes it more automated, it can come with it’s own set of issues but worth considering.
The best way to use this type of watering system is to leave it on for long periods of time, as much as you have capacity & definitely turn it on to give the trees a good soak when it rains during summer which then gives the trees/plants a deeper watering. Good luck!
P.s Forgotten Fruits shopping cart is now open on our website for buying fruit trees, catalogue will be out shortly.
www.forgottenfruits.co.nz to order & click on shop
Thanks,
Benji & Laura Woodman
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