IRRIGATION
Water cannon is ideal for large fields and pasture, but requires a powerful
pump and large volume of available water
From page 17
components along the way.
both the pump and the
number of delivery heads you
wish to use, ensuring
sufficient volume of water is
available at the point of
delivery at sufficient pressure
to achieve the desired result.
Unfortunately (and certainly
on older plots) irrigation
systems tend to be a mishmash of pipe diameters, with
lengths of 32mm diameter
LDPE pipe connected to bits
of 40mm pipe and holes
being repaired by connector
pieces along the way.
All of these differences of
diameter will mean that the
volume of water available at
the end is limited by the
smallest diameter of the
Typically, a 32mm plastic pipe
fitting (eg elbow or straight
connector) will have an
internal diameter four or five
millimetres less. Thus, it
doesn't matter if there are bits
of 40mm or 50mm pipe in
the set-up; the volume of
water at the end will be
governed by the 32mm
fittings.
K The nature of your soil.
Heavy, clayey soils retain
moisture better that light
sandy soils and thus require
less water to achieve saturation.
K How much mulch you
spread atop your beds to
prevent evaporation.
Travelling irrigator uses the pressure of the water to turn the wheels.
19
www.sasmallholder.co.za