Week 11 · Infrastructure

Fix water in spring, not in January

Edible Landscapes

Summer irrigation failures are decided in November. Run every line, replace cracked fittings, log flow rates, and confirm tank levels are visible from where you walk daily. Irrigation belongs with fence posts and shade cloth — infrastructure, not a panic hose when leaves wilt.

Regional councils from Northland to Otago may restrict outdoor use in dry summers; rural tank supply is always finite. Measure litres per minute at each zone; compare to bed area and crop demand. Drip under mulch reduces evaporation on clay, loam, and sand alike.

One-day audit

  1. Draw a zone map

    Beds, trees, taps, filters, tank. Label pipe sizes if known.

  2. Run each zone ten minutes

    Note pressure, leaks, clogged emitters. Flag dry corners and soggy centres.

  3. Bucket-test flow

    Litres per minute at the furthest emitter reveals undersized pumps or tanks.

  4. Start a baseline log

    Tank level, rainfall, weekly use — three spring weeks predict summer shortfalls.

Heavy clay soils

Slow infiltration — shorter cycles, multiple start times, avoid walking saturated beds. Raised rows help roots breathe.

Sand and free-draining soils

Longer low-flow runs under mulch. Coastal wind increases evaporation — cluster sensitive crops in lee zones.

Separate zones by root depth — shallow feeders and deep trees should not share one timer blindly.
If you cannot see tank level from daily traffic paths, you will run dry on a hot weekend.

Municipal water users: check summer restrictions early. Some districts allow drip but not sprinklers; others require hoses with trigger nozzles only. Design to the rule, not to last year’s memory.