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South East

Wich type of watering is best, orr should one combine them all, and how you judge groundwater, topsoil maybey dry but further down roots might me drowning? any comments?

12/8/2006 3:55:36 PM

Ontario, Canada.

It depends on the conditions and the time of day. I know lots of growers who avoid overhead watering to help reduce PM. I use lots of methods depending on the conditions and time of day. Overhead sprinklers are ok in the morning as this provides plenty of drying time before the late evening. Root zone drip lines can be used just about anytime. Misting can also be used during periods of low humidity and or high temperatures to reduce sink robbing transpiration from the leaves.

12/8/2006 7:53:20 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

I tried drip only the first year, then overhead the second, you will get PM either way, the water may help wash some of it off?

The second year I put an in line device and added molasses, kelp, and or fish, this seemed to help keep the PM down.

this year I plan on putting sprinklers under the canopy, so when I spray the water/kelp should help to control PM more

12/8/2006 8:40:51 PM

Deer Park WA

We overhead and use soaker hoses to keep the soil moist. Either way you will have to spray at regular intervals to prevent/control PM. Having a high OM/tilth content in the soil will reduce your watering needs during high temps (averages 85 degrees here all summer). Lite mulching over the patch also seems to help reduce the need for heavy watering.

...Gerry

12/8/2006 11:46:39 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

How do you put sprinklers under the canopy? I would think the pressure would damage the leaves? What type of sprinklers are these? I used a full circle of soaker hose around the trunk and then rainbirds to cover the remainder. Worked pretty good and kept the heat at bay when necessary.

12/9/2006 12:40:45 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Eric,

I've always wanted to run semi-rigid lines along the soils surface (one foot apart) with "cone-jet" spraytips mounted every 12" facing straight up. This would permit true under-leaf spraying without dancing on boards or the need of a mist blower.

Talk about powdery mildew control? A Dosatron & decent irrigation controller would automate the entire process so you would even need to step into the patch.

All it takes is time, space & money. LOL

12/9/2006 2:29:42 AM

President - GPC

I found all three are necessary and have their benefits. Using an auto timer even better as one can set it at 500 AM prior to sunrise and allow the day to dry it out. I heard never let it really dry out so automatation is the way to go, install a rain gauge so one knows how much water is being delivered, if 20 minutes appears too much 17 might be perfect. For me with lots to do, it was far easier to poke the button and know that the entire patch was watered or cooled above and below. Also install your drip line inline with the mains and secondarys. Where my roots lined up with the soakers I had extensive carrot size roots. This year I would like to add a fertigation chamber but diltuion at the proper rate is the key. If it says 1 0z per gallon dispersion rate it doesnt mean 1 oz per 100 gallons.....so this gets expensive and fun to calculate. But one things for certain.....check out
http://www.dripworksusa.com/
for your parts........get the catalog and dream up system.

12/15/2006 3:56:38 PM