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Location

Message

Date Posted

Muddy Waters

Is this the best way to go?? I need feedback from people who have been using this method.Is it worth the money??

1/21/2011 6:50:25 PM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

it's what Ken Sweet uses.

1/22/2011 6:41:00 AM

Mass

I'm going to run a few plants on it and on few on "Starr" system and see how they both work for this year. I had used soaker hoses last year with gas powered pump, but didnt filter. I know I plugged a lot of it up with compost tea, and fish/seaweed. I'm going to try to get things totally automated with power, timers, valves, etc., which means running 100yds of power to old spring well first when the ground thaws. I spent way to much time turning on and off, different zones, changing hoses, etc. every day. Tea brewer will be set up right above 300 gallon tank there to siphon into systems or easily put into mist blower, and not be carried in 2.5 gallon jugs. TIME Management!!!

1/22/2011 7:32:04 AM

Muddy Waters

I am spending a good chunk of change to do this on a large scale 7500 sg feet.Want to hear any negative experiences.Im pumping out of river,I have gas & electric pumps,There a dime a dozen with all the garage sales around here 9 months of the year.Has anybody set up & used a 4 zone system??????????

1/22/2011 8:05:59 AM

East Jordan, MI

Here is a good 4 zone timer http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/btimers.php#TOR4W that I use.

The only problem I had with the drip tape was that it is VERY easy to cut. I cut mine 3 times with a hoe and once while cutting a tertiary vine off, and if you don't notice it when it happens, you get a flood.

1/22/2011 9:26:49 AM

Mass

im sure you will have to set it up with pressure regulation being drip is low pressure. I had to run my little gas power pump at low rpms or it blew out soaker hoses. I had 3 zones in about half that square footage, and some sprinklers going at times too. I would fill gas tank 1/2 full and let it run dry. Not really good at knowing how much water I was getting. I like the idea of a normal system with electric pump, pressure tank, timers, etc so I will be able to regulate things better. Dripworks has calculators and a lot of info to figure things out.

1/22/2011 9:27:09 AM

Bryan, Ohio

Talk to Dan at Columbus Irrigation Co. he will help get things set up the right way, my drip works great with timer an fertilizer injection saves a boat load of time.

www.columbusirrigation.com

1/22/2011 10:17:17 AM

Niagara Falls,NY

Growers Supply (green house supply company) has a lot of irrigation stuff -www.GrowersSupply.com Good prices also

1/22/2011 2:29:10 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I used drip irrigation one season...then i gave it all away, didnt care for it at all.
I've been using the under the canopy irrigation system based on Thad Starr's system for a few seasons and i couldnt be happier, complete uniform coverage.
I put compost tea and occasional ferts through it with no problems.
We have it broken down and easy to understand on our website, look under resources and check it out, I wont water any other way.

1/22/2011 6:23:08 PM

Central Ca

Miles of drip irrigation from one of our old almond orchards. Any local growers want some? let me know.

1/23/2011 12:25:03 AM

Muddy Waters

TOM Thats what I was wondering about wet spots(to muddy at emitters).Im on a clay base not sand??? any feedback??

1/23/2011 8:18:48 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Tom, does Thad's system get the underside of the leaves wet? If so, is prbly a perfect system to grow Mildew, down here in the humid, South! Not condemming, just searching for something that works!!! Peace, Wayne

1/27/2011 11:33:36 PM

Buffalo, New York

im gonna try the starr system this year....i have given up on the soaker hoses.

1/29/2011 7:41:55 PM

Niagara Falls,NY

Kirk Mombert used a system simular to Thad's when he was competing.He grew some big pumpkins and in a letter (he sent me some seeds) he said it worked well and never had a problem with it.He spaced his sprinklers about 6 ft apart and got good coverage.

1/30/2011 7:30:44 AM

Muddy Waters

Thanks for advice Im going with drip tape,if I dont like I will be selling it next year,on biggie

2/3/2011 7:56:53 AM

Corbin, KY

I have used drip tape from Dripworks for past two years. I really like the drip tape because of ease of use. I grow in the Christmas tree pattern so my Irrigation is also a Christmas tree pattern. I run main water line alongside the main vine of the pumpkin. I then run my drip tapes between the secondaries. The first drip tape goes in after the first set of secondaries. This means first line of drip tape is about a foot from the stump. I add drip tape as the plant grows this way they are not in the way until they are needed. Drip tape can be pushed to side to remove weeds, hoe, etc. If you want to run some sprinklers all you have to do is run them off the mainline.

2/3/2011 10:21:32 AM