Q. First off I want to thank you for the inspiration and
motivation to get my backyard orchard project off of the ground. I planted 22
bareroot fruit trees this winter, 20 of which have budded out! I am still
hopeful on the remaining 2.
motivation to get my backyard orchard project off of the ground. I planted 22
bareroot fruit trees this winter, 20 of which have budded out! I am still
hopeful on the remaining 2.
I have
also installed a greywater drip irrigation system using the water from my
laundry, the system I am using waters the whole 20’x30′ orchard area rather
than each individual tree. What I am curious about now is if I should utilize
the surge tank in my system to apply any fertilizers or possibly something to
combat the alkalinity of our native soil? I am noticing chlorosis (yellowing) already
on the new trees this spring. Do I need to worry about that now?
also installed a greywater drip irrigation system using the water from my
laundry, the system I am using waters the whole 20’x30′ orchard area rather
than each individual tree. What I am curious about now is if I should utilize
the surge tank in my system to apply any fertilizers or possibly something to
combat the alkalinity of our native soil? I am noticing chlorosis (yellowing) already
on the new trees this spring. Do I need to worry about that now?
A. Congratulations on your mini Orchard. Be careful with
the type of laundry detergent that you are using in combination with your
greywater system. Make sure it is biodegradable and plant friendly.
the type of laundry detergent that you are using in combination with your
greywater system. Make sure it is biodegradable and plant friendly.
You
might want to do some checking on the state regulations on the use of greywater
for irrigation. This would be overseen by the Nevada Division of
Environmental Protection and much of that information should be online or a
quick phone call away.
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Website
might want to do some checking on the state regulations on the use of greywater
for irrigation. This would be overseen by the Nevada Division of
Environmental Protection and much of that information should be online or a
quick phone call away.
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Website
Using a
fertilizer injection system is very convenient and adequate as long as your
irrigation system is designed and installed well. If your irrigation system
applies water evenly, then the fertilizer will be applied evenly as well. Make
sure you incorporate a 150 mesh screen filter somewhere at the front of the system.
fertilizer injection system is very convenient and adequate as long as your
irrigation system is designed and installed well. If your irrigation system
applies water evenly, then the fertilizer will be applied evenly as well. Make
sure you incorporate a 150 mesh screen filter somewhere at the front of the system.
 |
| Mesh filter for drip irrigation paired with pressure regulator |
The
advantage of fertilizer injection systems are that they can apply small amounts
of fertilizer continuously through the growing season (through most of August).
It sounds like a fertilizer injector would apply more fertilizer than applying fertilizer
by hand once in the spring but this is not necessarily so.
advantage of fertilizer injection systems are that they can apply small amounts
of fertilizer continuously through the growing season (through most of August).
It sounds like a fertilizer injector would apply more fertilizer than applying fertilizer
by hand once in the spring but this is not necessarily so.
Applying
small amounts of fertilizer on a regular basis is much more efficient and can
lead to significantly less fertilizer applied if you manage the irrigation system
and very small amounts of fertilizer applied closely.
small amounts of fertilizer on a regular basis is much more efficient and can
lead to significantly less fertilizer applied if you manage the irrigation system
and very small amounts of fertilizer applied closely.
You do
not need to inject anything to combat alkalinity of the soil. Select acid
forming fertilizers and use organic mulches. If you use organic mulch on the
soil surface it will do a lot to improve the soil and combat alkalinity.
not need to inject anything to combat alkalinity of the soil. Select acid
forming fertilizers and use organic mulches. If you use organic mulch on the
soil surface it will do a lot to improve the soil and combat alkalinity.
 |
| One brand of iron chelate EDDHA |
You
could inject an iron chelate into your irrigation system to combat yellowing due
to chlorosis provided the water is below a pH of 7.5. If you cannot guarantee
this pH in your water then use the iron chelate EDDHA which is stable through
the alkaline pH range. The other sources of iron fertilizers are not stable under alkaline conditions and
will drop their iron once they are put into water with a high pH.
If you
decide to inject fertilizers into your irrigation system then start the
injection cycle after the water has been delivered to the plants for a few
minutes. Water is not delivered evenly during the first few minutes of the drip
irrigation cycle. Once the drip system is fully pressurized, well-designed drip
systems then apply water evenly.
decide to inject fertilizers into your irrigation system then start the
injection cycle after the water has been delivered to the plants for a few
minutes. Water is not delivered evenly during the first few minutes of the drip
irrigation cycle. Once the drip system is fully pressurized, well-designed drip
systems then apply water evenly.
Stop
injecting fertilizer several minutes before the irrigation system shuts down.
Several minutes of uninjected water will clean out the irrigation system of
fertilizer that might be stuck in the irrigation lines.
injecting fertilizer several minutes before the irrigation system shuts down.
Several minutes of uninjected water will clean out the irrigation system of
fertilizer that might be stuck in the irrigation lines.
Water that
remains in your irrigation system containing fertilizer will lead to the growth
of algae and bacteria in your irrigation lines. Algae and bacteria are major
culprits in plugging your irrigation system if you are using drip or even sprinklers.
remains in your irrigation system containing fertilizer will lead to the growth
of algae and bacteria in your irrigation lines. Algae and bacteria are major
culprits in plugging your irrigation system if you are using drip or even sprinklers.