Irrigating high-value row crops such as carrots, lettuce, onions, and other vegetables can be a challenge, particularly during germination in hot dry climates. Nelson Irrigation offers the precision and reliability you need to help this delicate investment yield.
Growing high-value vegetables is a challenge. Balancing irrigation techniques and plant health with the added difficulty of controlling mildew, pests, weeds, and the application of fertilizers is both an art and a science.
A uniform and gentle seedling germination is key to a successful high-yield vegetable crop. When applied properly, sprinkler irrigation can produce uniform soil moisture and a healthy aerated soil texture. Sprinklers also help leach excess salts and reduce crusting.
Growers using aluminum solid set and hand-move systems are finding the R2000WF to be their product of choice. Traditional impact sprinklers use a drive arm to turn the sprinkler, which interrupts the stream and creates excess water around the sprinkler, inviting a host of issues.
R2000WF sprinklers are engineered to spread water more evenly throughout the wetted area, resulting in less water directly around the sprinkler. Nelson Windfighter sprinklers are designed to fight against wind and provide a gentle droplet for better germination over wide beds. The Nelson Windfighter sprinkler is commonly used on aluminum solid set and portable systems.
Combine R2000WF sprinklers with a Mini Drain Check or Mini Regulator Drain Check for even more precise irrigation over vegetables. A Drain Check (DC) locks water in the pipe until preset pressure is reached such as 35 psi. This full on/full off eliminates the start-up drool and washout we commonly see around impact sprinklers. In addition to locking water in the pipe until a set pressure is reached, a Mini Regulator Drain Check (MRDC) comes in preset regulating pressures that keep the system at a given pressure to ensure consistent flow at each sprinkler. This can be especially valuable on slopes or hillside applications.
Irrigating vegetables is a complicated task that depends on everything from your region to your choice of valve. Listen to what a grower in Yuma, Arizona thinks of the Nelson Windfighter® sprinkler for high value crops. Explore some of the Nelson products commonly used for vegetables below, or get in touch with the territory manager in your area so we can help find the right solution for you.
