Irrigation systems play an important role in commercial farming for helping crops and plants grow, especially if your farm is in an area that gets little rain, such as California. Effective irrigation technology has helped farmers in California produce an abundance of produce even during droughts. California farmers produced more than two-thirds of the United States’ nuts and fruits and over 33 percent of the nation’s vegetables in 2017 alone. That’s why it’s crucial for growers to get help in designing the ideal irrigation system that best meets their needs.
But there are many parts you’ll need to build an effective irrigation system for success based on the type of irrigation system you choose. It’s important to understand that one irrigation system isn’t perfect for all cases. So, it’s crucial to consider the various factors that impact the type of irrigation system you need. Some common irrigation systems include sprinkler, drip irrigation and travel gun irrigation. Here are some of the various parts and supplies you can use to make your preferred irrigation system a success:
Sprinkler Irrigation System
Sprinkler irrigation is a convenient irrigation method that you can easily automate with irrigation scheduling for efficient water distribution. Some common parts of sprinkler irrigation systems you may need include:
- Sprinklers. Sprinklers are essential for an effective sprinkler irrigation system. However, it’s important to choose the right sprinklers for the type of irrigation system you need if you want success. For instance, consider using crawling center-pivot sprinklers for overhead irrigation.
- Flow meters. Flow meters are useful for monitoring the output of water your sprinkler irrigation system emits from automated sprinklers. Use flow meters to help keep track of the water flow so you can ensure your crops and plants receive the right amount of water they need.
- Soil moisture monitors. It’s also important to track how moist the soil is to determine if your field is over-saturated. It’s also crucial to know the soil’s moisture level to ensure your crops are getting sufficient water, otherwise you can stress your plants and stunt their growth. Consider using soil moisture monitors to make your sprinkler irrigation system smarter with better insight and to help control your water distribution.
Drip Irrigation System
One of the most common and efficient options for irrigating your farm field involves creating a drip irrigation system. With a drip irrigation system, you can deliver water to your crops with more precision than surface irrigation methods and save up to 70 percent of water consumption compared to flood irrigation systems. A drip irrigation system can also help you save time and manual labor since you can automate the process.
- Drip irrigation pumps. You’ll need drip irrigation pumps to control the flow of water. Choose a size that best fits your needs based on the size of your field, the pressure requirements of your irrigation system and the amount of crops you plan to grow.
- Drip tubing. Drip tubing is ideal for pressurized distribution. Consider using drip tubing with internally attached emitters to reduce clogging and improve the uniformity of water distribution in your field.
- Emitters. Emitters are necessary for distributing the water supply evenly throughout the field. There are several types of emitters you can use to make your drip irrigation system successful, including pressure compensating emitters. Pressure compensating emitters are able to maintain water supply uniformity because they can keep water flow consistent under different types of pressure.
- Emission devices. Use emission devices for water distribution, including point-source emitters, foggers, jets, emitters with multiple outlets and drip line emitters. Choose the best emission device based on the type of soil in your field and plants or crops you grow.
- Filters. Filters work to separate sand and other elements from the water before distribution to the field.
- Fittings. If you want your drip irrigation system to work effectively, you’ll need fittings in the correct size. It’s important to use fittings to connect the various components of your drip irrigation system’s tubing material. There is a wide selection of fittings to choose from, including PVC fittings for connecting to pipes made of PVC and poly fittings used to connect to drip tubing.
Traveling Gun Irrigation System
If you have a field that has an irregular shape, then consider a traveling gun irrigation system to emit efficient water properly. Some important parts you’ll need to make travel gun irrigation systems work include:
- Traveling gun. This large, self-propelled nozzle resembles a gun and distributes as much as 600 gallons of water per minute in a rotating motion, similar to automatic sprinklers.
- Cart. The travel gun sits atop a cart for easy distribution of water.
- Pipes. Pipes help control the water flow of the traveling gun irrigation system but come in varying sizes and lengths. Choose the pipe length and size that best accommodates your needs.
Final Thoughts
Irrigation supplies aren’t always easy to find. But the great news is you don’t have to search far to find the irrigation supplies you need. Fruit Growers Supply sells irrigation system parts to help you enhance your irrigation system and provides full-service irrigation for agriculture, including system design, installation, maintenance and repairs for irrigation systems. From Santa Paula to Orange Cove, you can get the irrigation system parts you need when you rely on Fruit Growers Supply. They’ve been around since 1907 helping growers meet their needs.
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