Research From The Field
Aid Projects, Conservation, Demonstration Sites, Education Centers, Irrigation, Retrofitting, Urban Projects — by eric seider February 19, 2009
Field Research Article: Case No. 02192009
Location: Jordan Valley Permaculture Project
Subject: Using Drip Irrigation On Mulched Trees
Observations:
Checking drippers that are buried under mulch on over 100 trees creates feelings in oneself that are not appropriate to express on such an esteemed scientific venue.
The long and the short is that it is a big pain in the ass to go digging through mulch to makes sure the drippers are working properly. Also some drippers can get clogged with debris.
Two Possible Solutions:
1. Remove mulch
Not a viable solution:
Using mulch is one of the keys to water conservation and soil creation, which is especially critical in such an arid and degraded environment.
2. Place drippers on top of mulch.
Not a viable solution:
Wasteful and ineffective approach as you are watering the mulch, not the tree so more water is needed for the moisture to get down to the trees roots.
So after some further thought and analysis… the winner is….
Solution 3: Place dripper inside raised water delivery vessel.
Working off an idea developed by Jesse Lemieux (Pacific Permaculture) of burying the spout of an upside down water bottle with the bottom cutoff to deliver water directly to the trees roots. I expanded upon this method and incorporated the drip irrigation. By retrofitting the water bottle to accept the irrigation line and dripper, you obtain 4 major benefits:
- Water is delivered directly to the trees roots.
- You can mulch till your hearts content.
- The drippers are available for visual inspection, adjustment and are free from debris
- You are utilizing a waste product.
A complete how to guide will eventually be available for download.
For now enjoy the pictures.
I found the square bottles with ridges to be the best
Everything appears to be in working order
24 down about 80 more to go
nice one eric. I think i’ll use this in the food forest at milkwood.
Comment by nick — February 20, 2009 @ 5:51 am
Hey Nick, I was just informed about this technique called Deep Pipe Irrigation. Looks pretty good especially as a combo with the drippers.
http://www.agroforestry.net/pubs/Deep%20pipe%20irrigation.pdf
Comment by eric seider — February 20, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
The Grey Water Gorillas share a similar treatment in their techniques for using grey water, using inverted nursery containers that are buried to within two inches of the top in the mulch basin with the drip tubing and immiter (no smaller than 1/4″) inserted through the top portion. See greywaterguerillas.com
Comment by Wendy Crist — February 26, 2009 @ 11:27 am
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