Time to Put Down Plastic

[Beltman60]

my grandfather used to tell me more corn grew in crooked rows than straight rows
that's because he always had more cooked ones than straight ones :laughing:

 

[hunterridgefarm]

A little update. I took a few days off to complete the irrigation and knock a few things off the honey-do-BOOK, chapter two, paragraph 3.1.


First thing was to complete the deer fence. The electric has worked for the last 3 years but had some babies get in last year and the mothers had to follow. So I fenced the whole 3 ac with field fence and put temporary extensions on the wood post and T-post to get the height of 8+ feet. I have tied survey tape to the twin and have had no issue with deer jumping. I will make it a little more attractive later.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

The sub-main line was taken to the field and rolled out

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Checked the river for water and measure the length of hose for pump. I set the pump against the rock. Also the elevation from river to field is pictured.

Also T off at the top with main line.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Running the main line to the field . Connecting to pressure regulator that will control pressure to 12 psi.

Ran sub-main for one section and flat hose over to the other section to connect to sub-main.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Connecting drip tape to sub-main line. I was not sure how this would go since I had never done it but it was a breeze, no problems. Insert the punch through the connector and it just popped right into the sub line. Attached the drip line.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Started the pump and checked for leaks. I had to tighten a few clamps but over all the pressure held at 8-10 psi on the gauge. Of course the gauge is in the wrong place. I used it to check the drip line pressure and this gauge should be at the end of the sub main line, but it worked ok just to check pressure. I have a gauge for the drip tape end but did not have it with me.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

After one hour of drip it seems to be doing great. These pictures show the end of the drip compared to the ground with no drip.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

After 1-1/2 and two hours of drip time. Your can see on one picture the drip tape under ground before the plastic starts. The tape is 4-6" under ground and starting to seep through the top.

This was before anything was planted. I have had the plastic in place for about two weeks and wanted to make sure the soil had enough moisture before planting.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Set out just a few tomato plants a couple days later and the soil was still holding moisture. Will set more this week but they are calling for a couple of 40-45 degree nights and don't want to push it. I planted the tomatoes about 8" deep.

I also planted a few seed through the plastic and checked them 3 days after and they are already sprouting. Hopefully they will be poking up through the plastic in a few days and I'll get some more pictures.

I ran the drip for about one hour last night and that seems to be enough for now. I am sure once it get warmer I will need to run a little longer. It will just take some monitoring of soil to determine the frequency and length of time to run the pump. Currently it looks like every 3 days will work. In about a month it should go to every 2 days.

 

[300UGUY]

Dude, your'e living my dream! Thanks for posting this, it gives me a lot of ideas.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Irv,

The dream may become a nightmare once harvest starts:laughing:

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Went down last night to plant 3 more rows of tomatoes and noticed the green beans were poking through the plastic. I planted them 5 days ago alone with okra and fordhook lima. The fordhooks should be through today and the okra today or tomorrow.

I think the plastic helped since it has been in the mid 50's, upper 40's at night this past week. The plastic seems to be holding the heat in.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the updates and pictures. That's really an impressive setup that you have and I'm dreaming of the day I get as good as you are!!!!

Eddie

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Finished setting tomatoes and peppers last night. I took a couple of pictures to compare from last week. First pic is last week beans and second in this week.

Third pic is a core before planting. The plastic is really helping hold the moisture in. The last time running the drip was Saturday morning. We have been in the high 80's this week so I was interested in what the soil looked like. I did run the drip for about one and a half hours last night.

Forth pic is more tomatoes planted last weekend, with the half row being what I finish planting after taking the picture. I have 6 full rows and a seventh going in around the end of June.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Your soil moisture will highest in afternoons and drier in the mornings. Looks good.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Jody,

Thanks for the info. I remembered I need to set out a few Red Bells and will do this Saturday morning. I will be able to check the moisture then.

How often and long do you run your drip? I am running on Saturday and Wednesday for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours at a time. Will increase as fruit starts to set and heat rises.

 

[Reyer Farms]

We water every other day. Duration varies from field to field. Usually at least an hour. It is good to have a wild end that drips on soil do you can see what is happening. I feel it keeps soil more consistent to water more frequently. Some farms water once a week.

 

[MossRoad]

I guess the theory is if you water for short periods too often it encourages short root growth because the plants don't have to strain to reach water. If the water system fails for a few days, some damage can be done.

On the other hand, watering for longer periods less often encourages the plants to strain their roots a bit to look for water deeper, so they are better able to withstand an interruption in irrigation...

At least that's what the "experts" told me. I'm still a novice on this and just a home gardener.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Moss- I think your logic is correct. My water is 2" below grade and goes into soil in root zone. Adequate moisture is critical in every aspect of growing crops from plow to harvest.