As we continue to improve our farm operation, it was imperative that we invest into irrigation equipment for the growing season. Using drip irrigation from well water, we are able to monitor our usage and conserve our water, a very valuable resource.
In order to bury our irrigation pipe, we needed to dig a trench at a minimum of 36-42" deep, below the frost line. We created a "Hub" in which all valves are located as a way to easily turn on and off the water flow to the various pipes. We ran two 500' pieces of well pipe into the middle of our field and installed two frost proof hydrants. Since the hydrants are at the very top of the hill, we will be able to easily run a header hose down to the bottom of the hill, while still keeping a significant amount of pressure for our drip tape. We also ran an irrigation line into our high tunnel, and installed a frost proof hydrant. This is especially necessary as we consider a longer growing season, we can now access water inside the high tunnel throughout the winter.
Come spring time, we will connect a "header hose" to each hydrant and run it the length of the field, approximately 500'. We will then connect small valves to the header hose at each vegetable row and then attach the drip tape to the valves and run it along the row next to our vegetables. We are going to use black plastic mulch as a way to reduce weed pressure and it will also conserve water. The plastic retains the moisture underneath the plastic and reduces the need for excessive watering. So what exactly is drip tape? It is a flat tube with small pin holes about every 8-12". Once the water is turned on and the drip tape is filled with water, it drips water slowly out, nourishing our thirsty vegetables.
Onto the next project.....
In order to bury our irrigation pipe, we needed to dig a trench at a minimum of 36-42" deep, below the frost line. We created a "Hub" in which all valves are located as a way to easily turn on and off the water flow to the various pipes. We ran two 500' pieces of well pipe into the middle of our field and installed two frost proof hydrants. Since the hydrants are at the very top of the hill, we will be able to easily run a header hose down to the bottom of the hill, while still keeping a significant amount of pressure for our drip tape. We also ran an irrigation line into our high tunnel, and installed a frost proof hydrant. This is especially necessary as we consider a longer growing season, we can now access water inside the high tunnel throughout the winter.
Come spring time, we will connect a "header hose" to each hydrant and run it the length of the field, approximately 500'. We will then connect small valves to the header hose at each vegetable row and then attach the drip tape to the valves and run it along the row next to our vegetables. We are going to use black plastic mulch as a way to reduce weed pressure and it will also conserve water. The plastic retains the moisture underneath the plastic and reduces the need for excessive watering. So what exactly is drip tape? It is a flat tube with small pin holes about every 8-12". Once the water is turned on and the drip tape is filled with water, it drips water slowly out, nourishing our thirsty vegetables.
Onto the next project.....
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