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August 03, 2005
Revolutionary Drip System
A small-scale drip irrigation system was developed by Chapin Watermatics, Watertown, New York. It was designed to help small-scale farmers produce crops in areas with erratic rainfall, using little water.
Called the Chapin Bucket Irrigation Kit, the basic kit contains a simple filter and two drip lines 15 metres (about 50 feet) long (users provide their own buckets). Water flows down from the bucket through the filter lines, then drips into the soil next to the plants. This system makes efficient use of precious water.
The kit also comes with instructions on how to make raised beds that contain local materials such as green manure and animal manure to provide cheap sources of plant nutrition.
The Chapin Living Waters organization now distributes bucket kits (10 gal), super bucket kits (35 gal) and 1/4 acre kits to third world countries at subsidized, affordable cost to the recipients. Drip line from the kits is rated to last 4-5 years.
Bob and I are contemplating something like this for next year's garden. Watering the 4' square raised beds we have now takes a lot of time and wastes water.
More links:
http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/IAP/Harambee/09_Irrigate.html
http://www.hydrosource.com/web_clp/971101/chap2.htm
Posted by Sue at August 3, 2005 09:28 AM
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