Irrigation Issues to Consider

As the drought continues over most of NC, as an industry we must look at conserving water even more strigently than we have in the past. Some of you have indicated that your water sources have become limited and this is a concern that I share with you.

Some Best Management Practices that you may want to consider are:
Replace overhead irrigation with drip tape or other low input emmitters.

Place all irrigation on timed intervals that allow the containers, or root-zone
area to get wet but only to the point of run-off and stop.

Develop storage areas to capture and recycle run-off

Begin reducing irrigation frequency as we enter fall so forcing plants to
begin to shut-down and go into their winter dormancy.

Organize plants according to their priority needs and values.


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.