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Location

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Date Posted

Dillonvale, Ohio

What are the pros and cons of each? I water out of 330gal totes, so the water will be pumped. If overhead is better, what type? Trying to figure out which way to go, thanks

2/8/2018 1:29:49 PM

New York

I think drip is better because overhead gives more chance of diseases but overhead also gives some nutrients to the plant. I think those nutrients can also be given with foliage spray though

2/8/2018 6:36:53 PM

New York

Im new at this so don’t do anything crazy based on me

2/8/2018 6:37:16 PM

stoughton WI

I overhead water with 5 300 gal tanks using oscillating sprinklers. Using this method is difficult to over fertilize, drip tape I hear likes to plug up depending on fertilizers used, drip tape takes time to unroll an repin. If a sprinkler goes bad go get another cheep one. Walmart has them on sale in the spring for $2.00. I Buy 6 or 7 every year overhead is alot less work and less expensive. I hope this helps somewhat. I shop alot at garage sales for hoses and other gardening tools.

2/8/2018 7:00:55 PM

Partlow,Va

I used drip tape one year for six plants and it was a lot of work. I think for just a couple of plants it would be better....and I may do just one plant in the future. Be careful and have a plan not to pack your soil when laying it out. Harder than it sounds.

2/8/2018 9:22:36 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I’ve used overhead pumped from tanks like Rick, and was going to switch to drip but with the size of my new patch, I just can’t justify the cost this year, so overhead will have to work in our new patch also.

I warm the water, then add my nutrients in the tank before turning on the pump. 1000 litre tank (275 gallons) empties in about 12 minutes.

2/8/2018 11:41:05 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I have to use drip tape due to the disease I deal with. Works great for my patch with very controlled watering.

I also have overhead just in case we get really hot, I only use it a few times a season.

2/8/2018 11:51:08 PM

valparaiso, in

I like drip tape. Just open the tank up, and a few hours later once it the water level hits the lower mark just close it. Easiest watering I have done in years. Only 1-2 plants though.

2/9/2018 1:24:15 AM

Alex, IN

Overhead here. Drip tape takes too long to roll out. Plus with a proper spray program and appropriate watering times disease is not an issue with overhead irrigation.

2/9/2018 5:32:29 AM

Dillonvale, Ohio

Between my son and I, we will have 5 plants. Will cost $500 for drip tape. The expensive way for overhead will cost $200. It seems most people like overhead, especially with 5 plants. Is there a systemic for powdery mildew? That's my biggest fear, getting powdery mildew in August and killing everything. If I can stop it from inside the plant, I'll worry less about watering times and dry leaves at night

2/9/2018 7:47:12 AM

Central Illinois

Select Source PPZ systemic (Honor Guard- banner max)is a systemic PM fungicide, there are several other kinds of systemic's for PM

2/9/2018 9:46:01 AM

stoughton WI

Eagle 20 I believe is supposed to be a systemic for p.m.

2/9/2018 11:07:23 AM

Massachusetts

I like this from Joel Holland in his 2017 season summary. "Early in the day, early in the season, during very warm weather and whether I wanted to apply something to the leaves were factors in support of overhead." "Later in the day, cool weather, and later in the season were considerations that favored use of (in his case) soaker hoses."

2/9/2018 11:21:54 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

It gets very humid here in the summer which is why I have yet to use overhead (afraid of disease). That being said, I wish I was doing overhead, cause watering down low through drip is a pain in the ass. I'm always getting breaks and unequal distribution... to much footage to get a chink in the armor.

Maybe I'll switch to overhead and water first thing in the morning so the leaves have time to dry most days.

2/9/2018 11:43:35 AM

Orient, Ohio

when I overhead water a lot my leaves bronze real bad due hard well water

2/9/2018 12:08:58 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I don't have a lot to spend on expensive watering systems. I like to use drenches in the evening, water warmed by the sun in black garbage cans. I found I get better overnight gains using warm water in the evening. I can add fertilizers and compost tea to the drench water. In the morning, I just water direct from the hose. The plants are already cooled down and the sun will warm things up before evening.

2/9/2018 3:21:39 PM