Project Update
Jan 26th, 2012 by ychebunin
Who is Evergreen?
Over the next several weeks, our Community Service Learning (CSL) group is going to be working very closely with Evergreen – a not-for-profit organization that makes cities more livable – in order to create a planter box irrigation system. Evergreen has been engaging Canadians by creating and sustaining dynamic outdoor spaces – in schools, communities and homes. In addition, Evergreen is a leading national funder and facilitator of local, sustainable greening projects in schoolyards, parks and communities across Canada. Evergreen’s mission is to bring communities and nature together for the benefit of both. For more information, please visit www.evergreen.ca.
Project Update
Our group has contacted the client asking a few questions with regards to the project, meeting times, and site constraints. The client has replied and answered our questions and concerns. We will be having our first site visit next week on Thursday at 2:00pm. During this time we hope to fully inspect the area for our project, make note of all site constraints, and receive further clarification on project requirements, budget, and implementation period. At the moment our main concerns for this project are: (1) there is a large area to cover, and (2) different plants require varying levels of watering.
Known Site Constraints
Having contacted the client, there are some site constraints that we are aware of. The kinds of plants that this irrigation system will be used for are: dwarf, apple and fruit trees, raspberry and Saskatoon berries, strawberries and herbs.The orchard currently has almost 20 individual planter boxes, spaced out across approximately 10,000 square feet. The landscape is completely flat with no hills. As well, an underground system is not a possible alternative for this site.
Design Ideas
David and Ewan have proposed to make a central unit branching into smaller irrigation units. We would then create sub-systems that would water smaller areas encompassing fewer planter boxes. Some other possible designs include ground sprinklers, a reservoir type or an overhead irrigation system. Below are some pictures of different irrigation systems that might give us some ideas for our project.
Drip Irrigation Network
Drip Irrigation Narrow Box
Sprinkler System
The project looks like it is going well. Do you have a tentative schedule of tasks for the coming weeks?
A CSL project from a few years ago put together an irrigation system for a large vegetable garden with raised beds. Below is an except that describes the system they proposed to their client. I include it in case you find it useful.
Regards,
Susan Nesbit
Different methods of delivering water to the beds were considered based upon the types of crops grown and the added complications arising from the location of the garden.
It was concluded that a system consisting of a main distribution line with flexible secondary lines is the most effective. The system is sufficiently versatile to support any number of attachments including Shrubblers®, soaker hoses and drip hoses to allow for maximal flexibility based upon the crops being grown. A variable flow restrictor on the main line of each bed furthers this adjustability.
5.3 Distribution System
The distribution system delivers water into the garden, and consists of Shrubbler® and/or soaker hose distribution lines. Shrubblers® are efficient in watering individual plants and providing water in a radial area. Soaker hoses provide water to a linear area along the hose, and are efficient in irrigating a row of plants. The distribution lines branch off the header line at output socket locations to provide irrigation coverage to the main area of the garden.
5.3.1 Design Details
The input end of each distribution line is fitted with a threaded adapter that forms a connection with the output sockets on the header line. The opposing end off the line is capped with an insert plug.
5.3.2 Shrubbler® Distribution Line
This distribution line is a network of Shrubbler® emitters branching off a main line of ½’’ poly tubing. Each emitter is connected to the main line through ¼’’ vinyl feeder tubing using insert couplings. The Shrubbler® spike is a commercially designed irrigation head that is staked to the soil next to an individual plant or a close grouping of plants. Built into the emitter is a control that adjusts the flow rate (0-13GPH at 30PSI) and radial throw distance (0-2’ in diameter).
5.3.3 Soaker Hose Distribution Line
The soaker hose distribution lines will consist of a length of porous tubing that allows water to seep out at the rate of 20GPH per 100’. The soaker tubing is connected using ¼’’ insert couplings to a 6’’ segment of ½’’ poly tubing, which houses the threaded adapter for the header line connection. The output end of the poly tubing segment and soaker hose is capped with insert plugs.