Start the irrigation season right

With our winter rains appearing to have finished earlier than in the past two season, we expect that the irrigation season will start earlier.

As such, it is important to make sure that everything is ready in time.

Check irrigation system pressures timeously:

• By testing your irrigation systems sufficiently ahead of time (especially with a drier end to winter), everything will be ready when the season starts. This also avoids unnecessarily wetting the soil after budbreak.
• An irrigation applied now in apple blocks, is almost like a spring rainfall event.
• For earlier stone fruit, table grapes and early pears, check the soil moisture before carrying out system checks.
• In blocks where the soil moisture is a good (not wet), you can begin with your system audits, if you have done so already.
• As you get closer to budbreak, avoid applying excessive water to the soil.
  • At this stage, we want the soil to start warming up with improved oxygen content to stimulate the first root flush.
• Pay attention to blocks where pressures were an issue last season or where you struggled with pressure uniformity through the block.
• Ask your irrigation designer what pressure each valve should operate at to ensure uniform pressure and emitter delivery (l/hr) throughout your orchard.
  • If not done so already, painted this pressure on each valve so that it can be easily checked and adjusted during the season.
  • If multiple valves run at the same time during the season, test them together.
  • Ensure that there are enough pressure gauges available on the farm for testing during the season.

In any bocks or rows where the micro sprinklers are hanging too high (or too low), adjust them to the optimal height before the season starts : water should spread from the start of one tractor wheel to the next. Not into the tractor row.

Flush dripper lines, clean filters and make sure that the systems are ready in time.

Audit all soil moisture probe positions to make sure that during harvesting and pruning the emitters around the probe were not disturbed.

After budbreak / flowering, check the soil moisture in your subsoil at 60-80cm on the probes or with a soil auger:

• Pay special attention to blocks where water infiltration can be a concern during the season.
• With a drier start to spring, it is important to come in at the right time with the first long irrigation. Do not wait too long.
• If heavier clay subsoils are allowed to dry out too much at the beginning of the season, they can form an “underground dam wall” that limits root development and causes irrigation water to accumulate above it during the season.
• Make sure that the topsoil does not become too dry at the start of the season as this can also damage new root development.

When in doubt, dig a hole!