Drip Irrigation & Why You Need It Deliver water and nutrients right to the root zone.
Let’s Talk Irrigation (Yes, Really)
Look, I know irrigation is literally the last thing any of us want to hear about right now, especially considering the recent weather. But if there’s one thing I know about Kentucky weather, it’s that no two weeks are ever the same. Flooding this week? That could easily turn into two months of no rain.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us. Luckily in horticulture, we have systems that “flow” well with irrigation tactics. Insert dad joke here.
So—Drip Irrigation (or Soaker Hoses for Smaller Gardeners)... Why Bother?
Here’s why:
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Dramatically increases yields and product quality.
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Minimizes the risk of crop failure and/or yield loss due to drought or inconsistent watering.
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Delivers nutrients efficiently through fertigation.
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Reduces the amount of water and energy needed to grow high-yielding crops.
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Lowers the risk of foliar fungal and bacterial diseases.
Simply put: for most cases—even on small farms—drip irrigation has been shown to double marketable yields. Not to mention the savings on resources by delivering water straight to the root zone, where it’s less likely to evaporate or feed weed pressure.
New to Drip Irrigation? Updating Your System?
Even if you don’t have water lines at your growing location, we’ve got great resources to help you get started. These are a few of my personal favorites—but I encourage you to explore all the excellent videos and publications on our website!
Just go to: Resources → Production Resources → Irrigation ( <--or just click)
Alexis’ Recs
Have questions still? No worries, feel free to reach out!