Using drip irrigation to water vegetables

SALT LAKE CITY – The weather’s getting warmer, so it’s time to start thinking about watering your vegetables. Last week on the KSL Greenhouse show, Taun and Maria talked about how you can use drip irrigation to water your vegetables.

Is drip irrigation the best way to water vegetables? Taun says it depends on what types you’re growing.

Last year, Taun and his colleagues at Utah State University Extension put together a fact sheet on water needs of various vegetables. While gathering that information, they noticed that some of the vegetables have different water requirements than others do.

“Our general recommendation for any vegetable is 1 to 2 inches a week [per irrigation], and that will get the water penetrating into the soil anywhere from 6 inches to a foot,” Taun said.

While most of the vegetables did well with this water requirement, some did better with a little less water. For example, most of the herbs only needed 1 to 1 ½ inches of water.

The fact sheet also has tables with information on different kinds of drip irrigation. The main focus for these tables is grid drip irrigation, which has fixed emitters every 6 inches to a foot.

The tables give you all the numbers you need to know. However, they also have the original formulas where you can plug in your own numbers in case you need it.

Another thing to note about drip irrigation is that it’s a great way to conserve water.

“Once you get it figured out, it will save probably 70% of your weeding because you’re not watering the whole garden. You’re just watering those crops. It’s actually a time saver,” Taun said.

Listen to the full segment on our podcast below!

The KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. You can follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.