As we talk to growers and landscapers across the nation we are always impressed by their tenacity to achieve and innovate year after year. But one of their biggest challenges is getting a smart automated watering or wider irrigation plan sorted.
Irrigation is key to maximising crop yields, but conserving water is critical too.
Understanding the watering needs of crops at different growth stages and scheduling irrigation to suit is important. Factors such as crop type, stage of growth, soil type, weather conditions, and evaporation rates are all things our customers consider.
Of course, weather forecasts and historical climate data help growers adjust irrigation schedules based on anticipated rainfall, temperature, and humidity levels. For timely decisions around irrigation, check out NIWA Drought Forecasting Dashboard.
Our customers are also weighing up modern irrigation technologies such as drip irrigation, nursery sprinklers and nursery misters, or precision irrigation systems to ensure water is delivered directly to the root zone of plants, and water loss minimised.
Finally, enhancing soil structure and water retention capacity through practices such as mulching and cover cropping will help reduce the amount and frequency of irrigation needed.
In New Zealand, irrigation primarily falls into two main categories: spray and drip systems. Centre pivots are widely used for grass and crop irrigation, while drip and micro-irrigation systems are common for orchards, vineyards, and vegetable producers.
In an earlier Blog we shared our customers favourite irrigation products, you can review it here. And now we cover a review of the popular Irrigation Systems available at PrimeHort:
- Drip Irrigation
Drippers deliver water precisely to the root zone using a network of Tubes, Pipes, and emitters. This method helps reduce evaporation and runoff while promoting healthy plant growth. Maintenance is essential to prevent clogging. To combat this, our In Line Filter will capture foreign particles, ensuring a smooth operation in low-pressure systems. - Subsurface Irrigation
Subsurface irrigation directs water below the soil surface, through techniques like buried Polythene Pipes or subsurface Dripline Irrigation. This method significantly reduces water loss from evaporation and runoff, discourages weed growth, and prevents soil erosion, making it ideal for maintaining soil fertility.While it reduces labour costs in the long run and works well across different terrains, subsurface irrigation requires regular maintenance to avoid blockages in the irrigation lines. Monitoring for leaks or malfunctions can be challenging since the system is underground. - Sprinkler Irrigation
Water passes through Dripper Tubes and various Nursery Sprinkler Heads and/or Misters and Foggers, all mimicking natural rainfall. It provides even water coverage across large areas, ensuring consistent crop yields and supporting soil health.When selecting sprinkler irrigation products for nurseries, it’s important to consider the type of plants being grown, the layout of the nursery beds or containers, water pressure and flow requirements. Regular maintenance and inspection of sprinkler systems are essential to ensure proper functioning and optimal plant growth.We are happy to provide advice around the best sprinkler choices for your growing system, please just reach out to our team. - Micro-Irrigation
Micro-irrigation encompasses both drip and micro-sprinkler systems and delivers water in small, controlled amounts directly to plant roots. This is particularly useful for vineyards, orchards, and vegetable producers where precise watering is required.Growers often choose our Spinnet Micro-Sprinkler, designed without a bridge structure, ensuring a drip-free operation. This feature prevents soil erosion and unwanted water pooling, making it a great choice for container plants, garden beds, and areas where water conservation is critical. - Centre Pivot Irrigation
This system employs a rotating sprinkler mounted on a pivot, typically covering large circular areas. Our Naan Impact Sprinkler is a top choice for commercial nurseries aiming to automate their irrigation efficiently. - Automated Irrigation Booms for Greenhouses
Automated irrigation booms provide precise and uniform watering in greenhouse environments while significantly reducing labour requirements. We specialise in lightweight Monorail Irrigation Booms, which offer cost-effective solutions with a fast return on investment.For a premium option, the DaRos Double Rail Boom integrates advanced technology and stainless-steel components, enabling remote control via a mobile app. This level of automation allows growers to tailor irrigation schedules based on real-time data, improving efficiency and crop yields.For large-scale nurseries the DaRos Outside Irrigation Booms are a popular solution. Adjustable spray patterns, highly programmable, and suitable for a variety of crops make them perfect for nurseries and horticultural operations.
Whether you’re a grower looking to conserve water or a commercial nursery seeking automation, we can provide a tailored solution to meet your needs – please just reach out to our team.
