GARDEN IRRIGATION
This article, written by the American Ground Water Trust was originally published in
THE AMERICAN WELL OWNER, 1999, Number 2
Gardening (lawns, flowers, shrubs or vegetables) is a major leisure time occupation for millions of Americans. One of the keys to successful gardening is to ensure that plants receive the right amount of water at the right time. Mother nature is very fickle about when to send rain. However, the development of plastics technology, mass production, and aggressive manufacturer and retail competition has now made lawn and garden irrigation systems affordable for homeowners. A visit to the garden section of a large hardware store or a visit to your local nursery will reveal a wealth of products from the simple to the sophisticated.
Well owners can design irrigation systems suited to the yield of their well and the capability of the well pump. Many well contractors have developed a garden irrigation side to their business. Homeowners with utility water supply in the house often prefer the chlorine-free well water for garden use (not to mention the cost savings!).
The key to responsible use of ground water resources is to aim for maximum irrigation efficiency with minimum energy use and optimum water conservation. You need to understand the water requirements of your plants and make use of devices such as drip systems, soak hoses and timers for lawn irrigation. If you are in a state that has cold winters don’t forget to drain your buried irrigation lines in the fall.
A great source for garden irrigation information is to click on the web sites of the major irrigation equipment companies. To find them, contact the Irrigation Association home page and click on the Links section at: www.irrigation.org
[© American Ground Water Trust. This article may be reprinted for non-commercial educational purposes provided it is used in its entirety and that reference is made to its source as an article in THE AMERICAN WELL OWNER, 1999, Number 2]