grow cycle growers know
HAND-WATERING AND DRIP SYSTEM
COMBINATIONS FOR OUTDOOR GROWING
Hand-watering and drip systems both have their merits , but combining these techniques gives growers the best of both worlds . Kent Gruetzmacher explores the variables for the perfect set-up .
By diversifying approaches to watering and fertilizing outdoor crops , gardeners achieve far more versatility in troubleshooting and dealing with scheduling constraints . For some cultivators , this notion means combining techniques of both irrigation drip systems and hand-watering . More specifically , this idea is concerned with putting plants on a constant straight-water drip system in conjunction with the hand-watering of nutrients . Hand-watering nutrients forces drip irrigation farmers to be more hands-on with their crops when fertilizing . This intimate exchange with plants promotes an inclusive , critical examination of the entire garden which is often lacking in automated cultivation situations . Also , a straight-water drip system provides horticulturalists a security blanket with watering , as the drip can sometimes cover the recurring chore of hand-watering when a constraint arises in one ’ s schedule . Finally , the drip system and hoses can sometimes be used functionally in an interchangeable fashion . To elaborate , the hose can be used in hand-watering to periodically flush out salt deposits in the soil during a long summer growing season . Similarly , the drip system can be used to fertilize the garden in the event of a scheduling emergency — nutrients can be mixed and aerated in advance of the actual feeding time . By setting up one ’ s garden with both hand-watering and drip irrigation systems early in the season , a grower can help ensure a bountiful crop by diversifying watering techniques with anticipatory planning . by Kent Gruetzmacher
122 grow cycle
cycl
growers know
HAND-WATERING
AND DRIP SYSTEM
COMBINATIONS FOR OUTDOOR GROWING
Hand-watering and drip systems
both have their merits, but
combining these techniques
gives growers the best of both
worlds. Kent Gruetzmacher
explores the variables for the
perfect set-up.
122
grow cycle
y diversifying approaches to watering and fertilizing outdoor
crops, gardeners achieve far more versatility in troubleshoot-
ing and dealing with scheduling constraints. For some cultiva-
tors, this notion means combining techniques of both irrigation drip
systems and hand-watering. More specifically, this idea is concerned
with putting plants on a constant straight-water drip system in conjunc-
tion with the hand-watering of nutrients. Hand-watering nutrients forces
drip irrigation farmers to be more hands-on with their crops when fertilizing.
This intimate exchange with plants promotes an inclusive, critical examination of
the entire garden which is often lacking in automated cultivation situations. Also, a
straight-water drip system provides horticulturalists a security blanket with watering, as
the drip can sometimes cover the recurring chore of hand-watering when a constraint arises
in one’s schedule. Finally, the drip system and hoses can sometimes be used functionally in
an interchangeable fashion. To elaborate, the hose can be used in hand-watering to periodi-
cally flush out salt deposits in the soil during a long summer growing season. Similarly, the
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