watering solutions

topic posted Thu, April 30, 2009 - 5:30 AM by  Marial
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This is one of the many projects I have not had the time or money too explore but really need to. We grow everything in raised beds (not in rows) and I need to come up with a system that will water the whole bed evenly and efficiently. Right now as a patch we are using sprinkler hoses but they are a pain. Suggestions? I'm leaning toward a rain drip system with the little stake sprinklers on a timer. The raised beds are mostly in a row but by the time they are all built there will be 16 to 20 in about 3 different spots on the property.
Does anyone have much experience with soaker hoses? How much area do they cover and how evenly?
Thanks in advance -
Marial
posted by:
Marial
Oregon
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  • Re: watering solutions

    Sun, May 3, 2009 - 8:49 AM
    I ensure that my garden gets watered at least twice per week (except the onion/garlic bed which is once per week)

    I have a system of rain barrels at the corner of the house and then I have rain barrel storage under a cedar tree. I use PVC pipes to connect the barrels to a pump and then a pvc system of pipes to pump it the garden. I have several cut of valves in the system including one at each barrel as the barrel empties I turn off the valve and turn on another barrel.
    (3/4 inch PVC)
    Each raised bed has a valve that is connected to a pvc pipe(1/2 inch) that runs across the top of the bed their are two soaker hoses connected to the ends of the small pvc pipe (1/2 inch) that run the length of the beds. I turn three raised bed valves on at a time and run them for 20 minutes, then I turn on the other three beds for the next twenty minutes. My beds are 4 concrete blocks wide by 11 concrete blocks long. except for my squash beds which is six concrete blocks wide. The system works wonderfully. Although I do remain present during the full operation. Since you have more beds it may take longer.

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