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College ofAgriculture and Natural Resources
Begin with the basics.
• How much water does a garden need?• What other factors determine watering
requirements?– Soil structure– Soil texture– Plants
Soil texture
• Sandy • Loam• Clay
Soil structure
• Arrangement of soil particles• Organic matter
Why is soil texture and structure important?
• Determines how water penetrates the soil.• Determines how much water remains in the soil.
How do you irrigate?
• Watering can• Hose
What is micro irrigation?
Gravity fed system
Watering the root zone
Advantages and Disadvantages
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
Low Tech Micro Irrigation
• Place water holding containers in the ground.
Other low tech solutions
• Row crops and raised garden beds– Soaker hoses
Example using 3 ft. x 8 ft. bedsTomatoMilk jugs
Pepper
Higher Tech Solutions• Drip tube
– 100 ft costs $30– 500 ft costs $130
• Drip tape– 6,500 ft costs $120
Major Parts of a Drip System
Major Parts of a Drip System
• Backflow Preventer/Anti Siphon Valve– Cost $2 to $6
Major Parts of a Drip System
• Pressure Regulator - $10 to $12
Major Parts of a Drip System
• Screen or filter - $15 -- $20
Major Parts of aDrip Tube System
• Adapters and Connectors• Header line
$1 $.70$3
$.25 to $75 $50 for 250 feet
Major Parts of aDrip Tube System
• Emitters, punches, cutters and goof plugs
$.15 to $.75 $3
$18$.20
Major Parts of aDrip Tube System
• Timers, Controllers and solenoid valves
$20
$300
$15
Major Parts of a Drip Tape System
• Home garden kit - $60 to $240
Drip Irrigation Rules
• Don’t exceed your water supply• Limit water pressure to 12 - 30 psi • Water flow will be limited by pipe size• Drip tube size controls length of run
Planning
• Layout garden on a sheet of graph paper• Plan your zones• Flow to any line/zone or zones
– Can’t exceed 75% of supply.– Limited by tube size and length– Flow to the zone depends on number and size of
emitters or length of drip tape
My Garden
Header line
Drip Tape
Drip Tube
Planning
• Layout garden on a sheet of graph paper• Plan your zones• Flow to any line/zone or zones
– Can’t exceed 75% of supply.– Limited by tube size and line length– Flow to the zone depends on number and size of
emitters or length of drip tape
Wrap up
• Plan your zones• Obey the rules• Check the web
Join the Grow it Eat it Network!
• A new campaign brought to you by Maryland Master Gardeners and the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC)
• Goals:– teach people how to grow food– increase the number of Maryland food gardeners– create a network of food gardeners who will
keep learning and sharing through classes, workshops, events, web site, blog
Resources
• Grow It! Eat It!http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit
– We have all types of practical food gardening tips and information. Check out our popular blog!
• Home and Garden Information Centerhttp://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic
– Here you will find factsheets, photos, and videos. You can also subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter.
– We answer gardening questions 24/7…just click “Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts”
• Maryland Master Gardener Programhttp://www.extension.umd.edu/mg
– Consider becoming a trained MG volunteer!
This program was brought to you by the
Maryland Master Gardener Program
Howard County
University of Maryland Extension
