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[email protected]

This isn't a watering post. It's temperature management. So I stuck it here.

Here in the so called "cool humid" northeast, there isn't really much call for "outdoor aircondition" with low volume water misters. So you can't just walk into a store & buy this stuff.

I've discussed the concept with long established professional wholesalers & factory reps from Rain Bird, Toro (Atlantic Irrigation, Toro Direct, & Turf Products Inc.), Bear Golf Irrigation (we're a distributor), John Deere Lansdcapes (who has aquired Richdel, Central Irrigation, etc), & Koontz Irrigation Supply, among others.

I have looked at Dripworks & other online suppliers.

I have reviewed the outdoor ultra low volume misters such as those used for over decks & patios in the arid southwest & other desert communities to allow for personal comfort & plant health in the dry heat.

I have talked to 3 irrigation installation contractors who I've known over 15 years. Two have been in business longer than most folks live.

I consulted with the technical staff at Spraying Systems, Inc. They make the popular Tee-Jet, Cone-Jet, etc nozzles that are used in Agriculture, Golf, etc as well as nozzles for vegetable produce cooling, pressure washers, etc. (We're one of their larger distributors.)

I've consulted greenhouse managers with respect to their overhead humidity/temperature control devices & systems.

I've read Diaries & emails from many fine growers & appreciate all who have contributed thus far.

continued

2/26/2004 7:47:30 AM

[email protected]

The dilema I have is simple. As volume decreases so too does the coverage area. So much so that to do Pumpkin Patch cooling justice requires the use of an overhead support system as we have seen many fine growers here using. This allows for the use of the multiple nozzles or emitters that would be required for good coverage. I've seen PVC tubes, wooden lattice, & cables. All have their own benefits & draw backs.

But I stubbornly resist this method for personal reasons (I only own one half of the land my patch is on!) & would rather use three (3) rows of heads on movable ground based risers. A row for each side of the patch running at 180 degrees. And a single row at 360 degrees running down the center.

The general concensus is that the Toro Maxijet Micro Nozzle:

http://www.toro.com/irrigation/all/lowvolume/maxijet/mj6.html

And the classic Toro 570 series body:

http://www.toro.com/irrigation/all/smturfsprink/570z/570z.html

This seems like the best option for us.

Question: These nozzles are available in 10, 15, & 24 GPH (gallons per hour) outputs. What opinions if any can folks contribute before I commit to an output rate?

I will appreciate any & all comments & suggestions.

Thanks,

Steve

2/26/2004 7:48:28 AM

South Hill, Virginia

Steve,

I've used a "cooling" system for three years now. The head I chose (on movable risers) is actually classified as a sprinkler head though it's very close to a mister in action.

If my goal was to just cool then I would choose the lowest GPH possible. I figured why not water at the same time so I chose my gph based on my watering needs and total cooling time per day. I have to look it up in my diary but I think I had it figured out to give my patch 2" of water per week.

Another advantage to small sprinkler over misters is they don't clog. I sent fertilizer, insecticide, fungicide all through the same system.

2/26/2004 11:57:35 AM

Nova Scotia

i also like the low volume sprinkler head's instead of misters for svrichb reasons as well. and that is i can water, fertilize, pesticide/fungicide and cool with the same automated system. and i beleive a little to much water is no harm but benefit (as long as leaves are dry all night and 50% of the day). but if you have to pay for water then just make it a cooling system with lowest gpm as you can. just make sure you have the coverage. another advantage to low gpm is that you need less water preasure to run entire system. my system, i'm putting on 3 valves instead of 2 so that my preasure is higher from the garden hose as well it gives me more cycles a day of cooling.

2/26/2004 3:58:06 PM

[email protected]

I should have mentioned that I plan to install a seperate drip system for actual irrigation this year.

I also used fixed spray pop-ups (Hunter PS-04-ADJ) last year & ran ferts, fish, & seaweed through them. I didn't apply any pesticides this way since the delivery rate was too high. If I get the deliver rate correct this year maybe this will change. But the best control of Powdery Mildew is had by treating the undersides of leaves. I plan this system to drop down from above for cooling. So PM control would be pathetic unless I upgrade my fungicide to Azoxystrobin (Quadris or Heritage). At $375 per pound this isn't likely! LOL

2 votes for lowest volume possible. Thanks guys.

Any more?

Steve

2/26/2004 7:41:07 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Drip irrigation with low volume "outdoor airconditioning" misters. Been working for me, BF

2/27/2004 10:57:52 AM