Irrigation (Gardens)

Overview

This Irrigation (Gardens) course from Warnborough College focuses on irrigation for parks, home gardens, and other ornamental horticulture areas.

Water is essential to healthy plant growth. It is often the major limitation to a plant’s productivity. Irrigation may enable plants or turf to be grown in a dry climate where it would not otherwise be possible. It may also supplement the existing rainfall and improve growth rates by extending the growth period of the plant. It may ensure that there is adequate moisture during critical periods when a plant is growing most rapidly. Irrigation at appropriate times may also improve the quality of turf or the general health of garden plants. The value of irrigation can vary greatly from year to year depending on the distribution of rainfall during the growth season.

This course covers the design, installation, maintenance, operation and evaluation of simple irrigation systems.

Lesson Aims

• Explain the significance of soil in irrigation.

• Explain how to determine when to irrigate in a small scale situation.

• Manage irrigation in a given situation.

• Explain the significance of different aspects of moving water including: drainage, pumps, filters, storage and recirculation.

• Select an appropriate irrigation system for a given situation.

• Explain the principles of design for a simple irrigation system.

• Design a simple irrigation system.

• Oversee the installation of an irrigation system.