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West Paris Me.

At the end of the season I find it very hard to get the plant watered well due to the size of the plant. I have made some nice sprinklers, but due to the size of the leaves there are many spots which don't get well watered. Hand watering works well for me at the edges of the plant but it is very time consuming. So, I am considering getting a big tank and using drip irrigation using the warmed water from the tank. Can you tell me what works well, and what I should avoid. Are setting out all of the lines worth it or is a big pain? Sorry so long. thanks Kathy

10/5/2014 7:24:46 PM

Colorado

I've been using drip the last two years. Its a great way to put water down evenly. Its a time saver in the long run. Use 3/4 inch mainline( easier to put the inserts into).Berry hill irrigation has good prices

10/5/2014 9:42:44 PM

West Paris Me.

Thanks

10/5/2014 10:12:06 PM

Muddy Waters

Drip tape irrigation rocks try Dan at Columbus irrigation in Ohio.I bought mine in 2011 & grew a 260 melon first year.Its Bubbas best kept secret!!

10/6/2014 5:49:10 AM

East Jordan, MI

overhead watering/hand watering takes advantage of the pumpkin plants design. The large leaf catches the water and funnels it directly to the tap root at the bottom of the stem. Just because it looks drier under the leaves doesn't mean the water doesn't spread out under ground (hint -- it does)


That said, drip is what we use and we love it, we find it distributes the water evenly over the entire plant, and by keeping the water off of the leaves we have less PM.

Some things to consider with drip though.
1. It punctures easily, so if you use a hoe a lot (stirrup hoe is less likely), or have rocky ground it may not be for you. They make heavier gauge that helps if you are very careful. (they also make connectors to fix a cut spot without re-running a new line)
2. If you have a steep slope, the bottom of the patch will get more water than the top, because when you turn the water off it drains the pipe to the lower end.
3. Drip tape will kink pretty easy when you are walking through patch or pulling weeds and when it does the water doesn't go past the kink.
4. Drip will clog when using it to apply drenches, use something else.
5. Drip tape requires enough FLOW (gallons per minute) to work properly. You will have to make smaller zones to ensure the plants get enough water. example, if you hook a water hose as your supply line you cant effectively water 3600 sq ft at once, but broken in to 4 zones, it works very well.

10/6/2014 7:35:51 PM

West Paris Me.

Thank you all so much for the information. If it is Bubbas best kept secret then I definitely need to give it a try!
cntryboy, I am going to try to set it up that I can water one plant at a time. I plan to grow four. Having less trouble with powdery mildew would be very welcome.

10/6/2014 8:04:37 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Toro Aqua Traxx is absolutely THE best and most durable tape.

10/6/2014 8:32:08 PM