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  • From: John Ferree <john AT seldomseenfarm.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] How do you irrigate?
  • Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:58:45 -0400

We looked at a property in S. IN that didn't have much ground water.  The property was sloping and we had a pond guy out to give us an idea of what we were getting into.  He suggested building on the high end of the property (since there was enough of a water source above it).  But it depends on how it lays. 

Where we're at:  20gpm available from 80-100' wells.  Currently running two wells in parallel with 2 80 gallon tanks to keep the pumps cycling (not burning them).  We have run irrigation off the house well and it can be an issue, especially if you have kids - hot is even hotter.  If your irrigation requirement is high, you will be dissatisfied with the performance for household needs.  I tended to run the system for the benefit of the crops and not us.  If you have better than 20-30gpm. . . drill a well.  60gpm or better. . . you're set.  If you have shale and clay soil w/o aquifer. . . pond.  Here a 100' well with 6" casing and pump cost about 3500 a couple years ago.  Pond cost is extremely variable depending on how much dirt must be moved.   

I would suggest contacting an irrigation supplier for general system specs.  Well drilling isn't cheap, but using pond water for processing can be problematic too. . . e. coli etc.   

John

On 3/14/2010 7:37 PM, Alliums wrote:

 

Hi, Folks!

I’m looking at a 7 acre property that doesn’t have a water source (unusual in Southeastern PA).  It has a well for the house, but nothing else.  Should we dig another well for irrigation?  Should we gather the water that flows to the bottom of the property into a pond?  If we do a well, should we have a holding tank and if so, how big?

 

I’m interested in what type of water source everyone else here accesses to water their crops.  Should I just look elsewhere?  This property is on a major road, so has great farm stand potential.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

Dorene in Phoenixville, PA (USDA Zone 6)

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Seldom Seen Farm
Danville, IN
317.509.7828



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