Maximum Yield USA February 2019 | Page 58

As discussed in the previous section, smart controllers can be implemented in conjunction with fertigation injectors, creating a highly efficient and precise system for outdoor soil irrigation. In layman’s terms, the controller dictates the operations of several pressurized valve systems that are fed from separate containers of nutrients. The controller also regulates water pressure from the primary water source. When the irrigation process begins, water flows through a pipe that is integrated with the nutrient valve system, then the fertigation injector releases nutrients into the water flow in conjunction with specific levels of water pressure. When operating and balanced correctly, the fertigation and controller combination delivers precisely measured, nutrient- rich water into soil containers — with little human effort. For good reason, outdoor commercial cultivators have come to cherish the ease-of-use of fertigation injectors. For outdoor growers committed to a six- to seven-month growing season, automa- tion options like fertigation literally eliminate hundreds of hours of unnec- essary labor in manual nutrient mixing. The precision of fertigation is entirely unmatched by human effort; top-of- the-line injectors disperse carefully controlled amounts of nutrients down to five milliliters per injection For economically and environmentally conscious cultivators, the precision afforded by fertigation injectors brings significant savings on both water and fertilizer use compared to traditional hand-mixing methods. Because hand mixing nutrients in large reservoirs always leads to an excess of leftover water that generally cannot be reused — this problem is non-existent with the strict controls of fertigation. Drip Systems While drip watering components don’t necessarily fall into the automation category, they are an essential element in any smart irrigation plan for the outdoors, especially concerning organic growing. With that, the controller and fertigation injector combination feed nutrient-rich water through hoses or pipes, and finally into soft-plastic tubes that should be embedded deep in the soil of each garden container. Since outdoor growing containers are generally far larger in size than their indoor counterparts (Smart Pots can range up to 1,000 gallons in size), top drip systems work inefficiently for outdoor growing. Concentrated drips of water in such large containers leave a clear majority the soil unirrigated, leading to several serious problems. Therefore, to effectively deliver water and nutrients, automated outdoor irrigation systems must utilize long lengths of perforated irrigation tubing that is coiled around inside the soil-filled container. With this method, fertilization will be accomplished in a uniform fashion, and organic soils will retain the requisite moisture content to maintain the integrity of their biological communities. “ FOR ECONOMICALLY A N D E NV IRONM E NTALLY CO N S CIOU S CU L TIVAT OR S, the precision afforded by fertigation injectors brings significant savings on both water and fertilizer use compared to traditional hand-mixing methods.” 58 Maximum Yield In utilizing some of the automation perks from indoor gardening, and adding some necessary tweaks, outdoor cultivators can enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge irrigation technology. For commercial-sized operations, the bene- fits of smart equipment like controllers and fertigation injectors far outweigh financial costs. Looking forward, one can only assume outdoor growers will continue to combine their passions for soil growing with the modern gardening technologies, making for a practice that utilizes the best of both worlds.