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Research From the Field

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.

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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:

  1. Water is delivered directly to the trees roots.
  2. You can mulch till your hearts content.
  3. The drippers are available for visual inspection, adjustment and are free from debris
  4. 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
I found the square bottles with ridges to be the best
Everything appears to be in working order
Everything appears to be in working order
Soon to be happy trees
24 down about 80 more to go

11 Comments

  1. good idea, but not perfect, as irrigation pipes are uv sensitive, and by leaving them exposed to the sun, you shorten their life span. it is better to keep the line mulched and to expose only the necessary part with the drip. you can use a small extension (microtube) sticking out with drip/s on top
    see link:
    https://www.fao.org/docrep/S8684E/s8684e0p.jpg
    all the best
    shy

  2. Thanks for the tip, Shy.

    Ideally all lines should be covered. Lets hope the shade from the trees kick in before that’s an issue.

    I’ll also add a new part to the research. Let’s see which degrades faster the irrigation pipe or the water bottles. Anyone want to make a bet? Also to take note of, the sun’s UV rays are diminished here because it’s 400 meters below sea level.

    cheers

  3. not intentionally, but given the abundance of rocks on the property its an inevitable natural occurrence. I think as far as building soil regular mulching is the go for now. Also we don’t really need the heat retention here.and yes its pretty damn harsh. Good test of your permaculture skills among other things.

  4. Nice one eric,
    Looks like you took the pill that changed up the matrix. Keep turning that waste into resource! I bet the water bottles degrade faster. How’s it going out there with Morpheus (Geoff)? Best to ya from Cali.

  5. Hi Eric,

    We want to do this in the high desert of the Great Basin. Have you put together the detailed how to guide yet? My main question: is the bottom totally open to allow the drip in, or did you perforate the bottles and/or wrap them in some fabric mesh?

    thanks for the great work and solutions to practical issues.

    Neil

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