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Montgomery, Minnesota

Im in the early stages of planning for some type of irrigation next year. I was just wondering which type of irrigation is best to use when apply fertilizers. I will probably be pumping out of a 250 or 500 gallon tank. The dilema: is it better to set up an above the canopy sprinkler system or a drip irrigation system for efficient use of the fertilzer. I will probably just mix the fertilizer in the tank instead of having an injection or something like that. Just looking for some opinions and what has worked best for some of you growers.

10/21/2009 8:26:46 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Drip irrigation, imho, is the best way to go, with a flowmeter attached to gauge the amounts of water applied precisely. If you mix the fertilizer in the tank, you are forced to fertilize every time you water unless you have two separate tanks.

After the initial cost, drip systems are relatively cheap to maintain and operate under low pressure.

10/21/2009 9:41:30 PM

Montgomery, Minnesota

Yeah if I mixed in the tanks I would probably fill for how ever many gallons I wanted to fertilize with and then pump it all out. I don't know if that would be the best way or not. Just wondering

10/21/2009 11:22:20 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I use an under the canopy irrigation, not drip, but micro sprinklers under the canopy. I put ferts and compost tea through mine with no problems, very uniform, complete coverage in the root zone, plus the under side of the leaves get covered, this is very important.

10/22/2009 6:01:55 AM

Corbin, KY

I used t-tape from Drip works and a fertilize injector. Leaves stayed dry and water and nutrients were delivered to the root zone. I also used a city water source. I could see using city water on one end and a tank on other end. With a couple of shutoff valves and a pump you could run the system back wards in order to apply anything you would want to tank mix.
My plants were grown in a Christmas tree style. The main water line ran down the main vine and t tape was ran between the secondaries. T Tape was added as the secondaries would grow. Worked good for me. The best tool I bought this year was a hose bib water meter, sure takes the math and the guess work out of watering. You know for sure how long to set your timer for.

10/22/2009 10:33:51 AM