Horticulture Advice

Horticulture Advice for Efficient Irrigation of Vegetables

Irrigation plays a major role in the production of crops and vegetables. For high quality yielding of crops, proper conditioning of soil moisture should be maintained all throughout the growing season.

Vegetables need sufficient amount of clean water to attain good development, growth and yielding. Generally, vegetable crops have small root causing them to have little water storage capacity. In addition, their need for water consistently changes as they grow. Over watering vegetable crops is also a problem because it causes loss of nutrients and disease. Weather can also be a huge factor.

As a whole, effective irrigation and proper monitoring of soil moisture are needed to avoid all of these problems. You can use different tools and devices to monitor soil moisture or you can also consider some horticulture advice from experts.

Below is some horticulture advice for watering your vegetables efficiently:

• Proper Selection of Irrigation System

A common horticulture advice from experts is to make sure that the watering system is operated properly and that it matches the ground conditions. You must know the crop's root depth as well as the properties of the soil in terms of holding water.

• Micro Irrigation System

Another good horticulture advice when it comes to efficient watering is to use micro irrigation because it is proven to provide the best ground moisture conditions. Special devices can be installed to eliminate evaporation on the surface of the soil and to stop weed development.

• Subsurface Drips

Many agriculturists and horticulturists say that a subsurface drip is a good option in keeping good soil moisture for growing vegetable crops. The methods of using a subsurface drip give out greater efficiency in irrigation, good air circulation and reduced crusting along the soil surface.

• Sprinkler Regularity

The use of water sprinklers is very common in growing vegetable crops. It is very essential to ensure regularity in application. Tested water regularity should be more than 75 percent and it should also be checked on a normal basis.

• Sprinkler Operating Pressure

The sprinkler operating pressure of the irrigation system should always be checked because any changes in pressure for more than 15% down the spray is not good.

• Sprinkler Rates

Sprinkler rates should be regularly maintained because soil erosion could occur. As a horticulture advice on sprinkler rates, irrigation should be run under low wind settings. For lower wind speeds, irrigation during night time is preferred.

Growing vegetable crops is not that difficult after all. To know more, you can consult an expert for a horticulture advice or buy agricultural books or magazines.