Greenhouse & Nursery Irrigation

Greenhouse & Nursery Irrigation

Greenhouse Irrigation

• Woodburn Area nurseries use 4 basic types of greenhouse irrigation systems– Solid-set Sprinklers– Overhead Spray Emitters– Mist Systems– Boom Spray

Greenhouse Irrigation• Solid-set Sprinklers– Used for large volumes

of water– Suitable for established

plants that can tolerate overhead watering with large droplets

Greenhouse Irrigation• Solid-set Sprinklers– Primarily used for

containerized plants 4” and larger

– Plants with large leaves or canopies can block water

Greenhouse Irrigation• Microspray Emitters– Great for sensitive plants– Allows for precise

watering

Greenhouse Irrigation• Microspray Emitters– Efficient & accurate– Reduces waste – Minimizes weed

germination

Greenhouse Irrigation

• Mist Systems– Used mostly for cutting

& seed propagation– High humidity– Frequent, short

waterings

Greenhouse Irrigation

• Boom Spray Systems– Large

volumes of gentle spray

– Precise delivery

– Often used on cuttings and annual production

Greenhouse IrrigationBoom Spray Sprinklers

Greenhouse Irrigation

• Controllers– Allow growers to

schedule irrigation– New technology ties

controllers to computers and smartphones

Greenhouse & Nursery Irrigation

• Most groundwater needs amending before being used for irrigation– Sand filters take out salts

and other particulates– Fertilizer injectors allow

for even dosing with irrigation

Nursery Irrigation

• Most is done by overhead impact sprinklers

• Some microspray is used on sensitive plants or large-canopied trees

Nursery Irrigation

Nursery Irrigation

• Large holding ponds are created to reduce the demand on groundwater

Nursery & Greenhouse Irrigation

• Many similarities in equipment exist

• However, both are managed quite differently based on the needs of the plants & industry