Throughout the portions of the country where rains occur during
the growing season it should not be necessary to irrigate except
occasionally in order to produce the ordinary garden crops. In arid
regions, where irrigation must be depended upon for the production of
crops, the system best adapted for use in that particular locality
should be employed in the garden. Wherever irrigation is practiced the
water should not be applied until needed, and then the soil should be
thoroughly soaked. After irrigation, the land should be cultivated
as soon as the surface becomes sufficiently dry, and no more water
should be applied until the plants begin to show the need of additional
moisture. Constant or excessive watering is very detrimental in every
case. Apply the water at any time of the day that is most convenient
and when the plants require it.
By the subirrigation method of watering, lines of farm drain tiles or
perforated pipes are laid on a level a few inches below the surface of
the soil. This system is especially adapted for use in backyard gardens
where city water is available and where the area under cultivation is
small. Subirrigation is expensive to install, as the lines of tiles
should be about 3 feet apart, or one line for each standard row. By
connecting the tiles at one end by means of a tile across the rows the
water may be discharged into the tiles at one point from a hose, and
will find its way to all parts of the system, entering the soil through
the openings.