Plants irrigation and temperature...

[Externet]

Hi.

Amateur gardener learning, been told/read that higher temperatures (to a limit, and unrelated to sunlight amount) are more convenient for plant growth -at least for garden vegetables- But roots should be kept cooler ?

 

Irrigation in form of artificial rain, as sprinklers/misters can promote undesired fungus, better water only the soil sorrounding* the plant.

Irrigation in form of artificial rain, as sprinklers/misters will reduce the plants temperature they prefer for optimal growth, specially when the water source is colder than ambient.

 

* Surrounding somewhat far from stems to promote roots expansion seeking moisture.

 

Do you share the opinion then, that natural/artificial rain is not the best of irrigation systems ? Drip irrigation being more convenient ?

 

[unsure if this should be under another forum; please act accordingly moving if needed]

[Acme]

Best starting advise...don't sweat the small stuff. Dig up some dirt, put in some seeds, put on some water and see what grows. If you have specific questions for your circumstance then ask away, but don't get all balled up in trying to learn it -or spend it- all in one season. That's a sure way to suck all the joy out of growing some of your own food.

[CaptainPanic]

It depends what you want to grow. Some plants can handle irrigation on their leaves (artificial rain), and some may develop fungi as a result of rain. But the main reason people use drip irrigation is that it is more efficient: less water evaporates, and more gets absorbed by the plants.

 

But I kinda agree with Acme: just start simple. You'll learn as you go.

[Externet]

Thanks, gentlemen.

It is my third summer playing with plants and successful/happy so far but the oxheart tomato plants could had been much better in the past, now I will do drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to see if fungi (early blight) can be left out of the fight.

No more corn again, fully destroyed by deer. And planning to drown slugs in beer to keep the strawberries for me.

 

Yes, can be done as you suggest without sweating the small stuff, but always curious of learning the hidden details for success. Small details always make a difference -sometimes big- and more knowledge won't harm.

[Acme]

Thanks, gentlemen.

It is my third summer playing with plants and successful/happy so far but the oxheart tomato plants could had been much better in the past, now I will do drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to see if fungi (early blight) can be left out of the fight.

No more corn again, fully destroyed by deer. And planning to drown slugs in beer to keep the strawberries for me.

 

Yes, can be done as you suggest without sweating the small stuff, but always curious of learning the hidden details for success. Small details always make a difference -sometimes big- and more knowledge won't harm.

You're welcome.

 

On the drip irrigation, I have some complaints and a solution. Complaint #1 is that buying the fittings is expensive. Complaint #2 is it takes a lot of fittings to get adequate coverage. Complaint #3 is that the fittings get in the way of weeding. Solution; use a watering wand. It's easy to use while standing, gets under plants & puts the water on the ground, easy & quick to get wider coverage. They're inexpensive and last for years.

 

I've been growing veggies for over a decade and have no real special secrets over my initial 'plant, water, eat'. I've always been a renter and long-term or major gardening accommodation has always been out. Sometimes I just used pots. This year I've thrown in with the kids & grandkids & we have a few hundred square feet of space. We are growing raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cucumbers, corn, radishes, spinach, beets, zucchini, yellow squash, 4 types of tomato, thyme, basil, peas, butternut squash, watermelon, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, jalapeño peppers, dill, cilantro, rosemary, rhubarb, parsley, carrots, mint, green onions, chives, garlic, and assorted native wildflowers. Something's bound to survive.