Best Irrigation Valves

These hoses can get clogged by debris, salt build up and algae, so if they are covered and hidden by mulch, it's hard to check if they are running properly and fix any clogs.Hoses that are exposed can be damaged by rabbits, pets, children or gardening...

Plants grow better with this favorable air-water balance and even soil moisture. Low-volume application of water to plant roots maintains a desirable balance of air and water in the soil.

Tags food safety , irrigation , water Most human health incidents have derived from fecal coliforms related to animal or human waste. Fortunately, there are a host of strategies you can deploy to mitigate risk.

Greenhouse watering systems may be sophisticated in-ground plumbed constructions or just a simple hose and some sprayers. Whichever method you use in your approach, the creation of timing, flow amounts, zones and type of delivery are all part of greenhouse...

The leaves draw much of the moisture and evaporation, which drains the tree of water.Over watering eucalyptus trees is a possible result of over-vigilance. Here are a few guidelines on watering eucalyptus trees for optimum health and water conservation.Irrigating...

In this case, a drip irrigation system may be the right fit for your garden. I can still use the water in the barrels to water my potted plants with a watering can, but I can also open the spigot of my rain barrels on a dry day and allow that water to...

You can get a sense of whether you need to water by feeling the soil 6 inches (15 cm) from the trunk and 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) deep. This means the tree should be watered close to the trunk and frequently, two or possibly even three times a week if there's...

Here's something I don't remember reading about when California's drought hit cataclysmic proportions last year: They're using wastewater from oilfields to irrigate food crops. It's already happening and who knows how we all could be affected.

They are not only relatively care free, but produce aromatic blossoms in a slew of colors set off by their deep green, large, leathery leaves. Are hardy trees suited to the southern United States that once established require very little care and is remarkably...

When making a slow release soda bottle irrigation system, it is recommended that you use BPA-free bottles for edibles, such as vegetable and herb plants. Crafty gardeners are always coming up with new ways to make DIY slow release watering systems.

These are some of the same nutrients you'll find in many commercial fertilizers.Save that fish tank water for your ornamental plants, as it may not be the healthiest thing for plants you intend to eat – especially if the tank has been chemically treated...

The pores allow water to seep slowly into the soil.The main advantage of a soaker hose is its ability to wet the soil evenly and slowly. Alternatively, apply approximately an inch of water every week in spring, increasing to 2 inches when the weather...

Be sure not to bury it too deep, though—the vessels require an opening available above the soil where you can fill them with water. Reduce your irrigation needs during warm, dry spells with this ancient watering technique.

Clay soils, which spread moisture horizontally on the top layers of soil, will cause additional barriers to reaching deep roots by hand-watering alone. To further complicate the matter, popular garden vegetables, such as tomatoes and squash, will stretch...

Read on to learn more about how you can do hillside garden irrigation.Hillside garden watering is especially important in areas with full sun and during dry spells. In order for water to deeply saturate the ground and reach plant roots, proper irrigation...

According to the University of Minnesota Extension Department, sandy loam rarely holds more than 2 percent organic matter. “[A]n average silt loam soil holds about 2 inches of plant-available soil moisture per foot of soil,” says the UNL extension.

Use a leveling device to help identify the contour lines, then mark them with flags or stakes. Constructing a swale along a keyline contour will impact waterflow on the maximum number of acres with the least amount of earth shaping.

And let's face it, although you might draw the same unwanted neighbors/police/local news crew attention, dancing under rainwater delivered from a hose just lacks the pizazz of an improvisational performance under the soggy skies.

The QWEL designer can offer water-saving alternatives and options to the client to save water and money.He or she can evaluate the landscape and determine water availability and use requirements.

I also recommend burying at least part of the tank and placing it under tarp or shade to help keep it cooler in the summer. Shutterstock The ram pump is another brilliant device that uses the force of water to pump water uphill and can be either built...

Leave it there for a minute, and then remove it: If the lower part is stained or darkened with moisture, then you can skip watering for now. Here are a few ways you can redirect household water into the garden rather than down the drain.

Most excellent! The hose bibs are a bit different here too, as are the hoses. The fittings are much more expensive though, and while a PVC elbow might cost 50 cents or less, a pressure elbow costs about three euros.

Is irrigation worth it? Don't waste time or money by bagging up and throwing away all that free fertilizer. Cool Clips If you have a cool-season grass that does well in the northern half of the country, such as fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, set the mower...

Adding compost or peat moss to the bed before planting aids drainage in heavy soils.Cucumbers typically need 1 to 2 inches of water each week. Supply the water directly to the soil at the base of instead of from overhead.

Strategies for catchment and storage of rainwater vary widely from site to site, so it can be difficult to speak in general terms about the perfect rainwater system. In fact, designing a garden around the existing site elevation is a key permaculture...

Using some soil mix and trays is essential. You also must keep those trays from going directly into the greenhouse—that soil needs to stay cool, too. Of course, heat-tolerant lettuces can be more expensive, too.

Dogwoods require 1 inch of water each week during the spring and summer of their first year of growth. Spread a 3-inch layer of organic mulch over the surface of the soil around your tree; this helps the soil to retain moisture and suppresses the growth...