Drip Irrigation Question - # 1gph heads per plan

[thomascbucher]

Hello,

I have some hops in my backyard and just hooked up one of the hose and timed valve drip irrigation systems.

Question I can't find the answer to- how many 1gph heads should i use per plant?

Right now it has 3. I haven't turnd it on yet since its still spring an the soil is reading plenty moist with my moisture meter.

So, with these, do you want them directly above the main rhizome? Or, should they be more spread out from the main root stock? Is it better to use 1 drip head for longer or the 3 for a shorter duration?

 

[brewcat]

1gph should be fine if you have sandy soil (depending on variety). Do not water the crown directly, that isn't where the roots you want to water are. A hop uptakes water and nutrients from a shallow feeder root system out from the crown. I would run two emitters on both sides of the plant. I guess length depends on soil moisture.

 

[cannman]

What's your source PSI and how long and often do you intend to water?

 

[thomascbucher]

Not sure on source pressure, it's a garden hose, but I did some flow tests with a timer and they heads do deliver 1gph (or 3 gallons per hour total w/ the three heads I have connected . The time on I will vary on conditions. With the rain we have been getting, I've yet to actually turn it on yet

 

[cannman]

Ok. Normally when I garden I do one 1gph drip to each root site (veggies, not hops). As my garden grew, I realized how much money I was spending on those little .5~7gph valves! A small fortune! So I changed over to this 1/4" soaker hose when I need to hit several sites in a close setting. The reason I asked about PSI is because this soaker hose will eat at PSI if you don't have enough pressure or your hose is running beyond 100' before it gets to the soaker output. Good luck!

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