Forum

Replies

• 

  Colin Hunt June 1, 2014 at 7:42pm

  Very timely post! Tomorrow I take delivery of a 600ltr tank with pump that will fit in the back of the van or for the back of our truck. Mainly for a school planting job we have completed which includes a 12 month maintenance programme on 20-25mm trees and over 1,000 shrubs. The nearest tap is 200mtrs away and we cant have a hose out during break-times - which seems every hour!
  I plan to use it on other sites where H & S insist I have cones/ramps/warning boards etc scattered about, which is a real pain.
  I also reckon that I could liquid feed lawns and shrubs, so hopefully it will pay for itself ......in the end!
• 

  paul mcdermott June 1, 2014 at 8:47pm

  We too have been having irrigation problems,have been laying hundreds of metres of turf and deterrent planting at various social housing sites were watering is a major problem.Currently hiring a bowser with pressure pump but far from ideal.
  Colin if you don't mind revealing how much was your tank/pump?
• 

  Paul McNulty June 1, 2014 at 9:03pm

  HUGE point made there, that should be added to the instructions we leave when planting even the smallest job.

  "Applied at base of plant", not "sprinkle gently over leaves and watch it all run off away from the roots!"....

  I always advise watering in the late evening, or else half the water is lost through evaporation, and you get less deep water penetration helping send the roots downwards. How do you get round that on large schemes where you're watering during the day?
• 

  Colin Hunt June 2, 2014 at 6:34am

  Not sure yet Paul but not cheap! It's a purpose made bit of kit at around £550.00. You could put a system together yourself quite a bit cheaper, but I was let down a month or so ago, so I let someone else do the leg-work.
  
  paul mcdermott said:

  We too have been having irrigation problems,have been laying hundreds of metres of turf and deterrent planting at various social housing sites were watering is a major problem.Currently hiring a bowser with pressure pump but far from ideal.
  Colin if you don't mind revealing how much was your tank/pump?
• 

  Colin Hunt June 2, 2014 at 6:35am

  Just have to get on with it Paul - I take the view that some water is better than no water. Not possible to do everything by the book I am afraid.
  
  Paul McNulty said:

  HUGE point made there, that should be added to the instructions we leave when planting even the smallest job.

  "Applied at base of plant", not "sprinkle gently over leaves and watch it all run off away from the roots!"....

  I always advise watering in the late evening, or else half the water is lost through evaporation, and you get less deep water penetration helping send the roots downwards. How do you get round that on large schemes where you're watering during the day?
• 

  paul mcdermott June 2, 2014 at 8:18pm

  Colin thanks for the info,will have to look into it more as we need a permanent irrigation solution (although having had a good soaking today makes it hard to prioritize!)
  Gary sorry for taking over your post.
• PRO

  Gary RK June 2, 2014 at 8:24pm

  Don't be silly, it all adds to it :-)

  It is possible to 'make up' a system (I suspect that what Colin was alluding to...) by using a 600L or 1000L IBC (they can come on an Ali pallet/cage - which you can two man handle into the side or rear van doors) and use a high flow 12v pump from, say, a ATV spot sprayer - like a ShureFlo (avaiable from Northern Tool) and some plumbing and connectors and you are away.

  I did this (and I think it's in an old thread)....