Before you dive into hydroponics one of the first things you should do is have your water source analyzed by a reputable lab. The water can be municipal, from a well or other source depending on your location. A quick internet search can be done to find a testing facility near you. They will provide you instructions for sending in your samples and tell you their cost for an analysis which normally ranges between $35-$55. If you are buying property, a water test can also help you decide if the property will work for your intentions, just like a farmer might get a soil test before buying farmland. Knowing if a water treatment system is needed before you get started can end up saving your crop and a lot of trouble in the long run especially in a closed or recirculating system.
Continue reading How does testing your water save you money?Tag: Water quality
Mastering Rootzone Environment
By Karla Garcia and Deidre Hughes
Root zone environment is directly related to our crop growth, development and health. Therefore it is very important to understand what is going on underneath our plants.
Continue reading Mastering Rootzone EnvironmentGAP-audited growers should have an easier time complying with food safety rules
Greenhouse and controlled environment agriculture growers who are participating in USDA’s GAP program are expected to have an easier time meeting Food Safety Modernization Act rules.
The burden of proving a grower is exempt from the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act’s rule falls squarely on the shoulders of the growers. Phil Tocco, food safety educator at Michigan State University Extension, said there are growers who will be exempt from meeting the Act’s rules.
Continue reading GAP-audited growers should have an easier time complying with food safety rules
It’s time to become water-smart
As more growers look to install closed loop irrigation
systems, there is a need for treatment systems specifically tailored to handle
horticulture issues related to biofilm and disease control.
in Texas along with their impact on the rising cost of food are making
government officials and the public painfully aware of the importance of having
and maintaining a reliable water supply. USA Today reports that California
produces nearly one-fifth of the United States’ entire agricultural output.
Should the state’s water woes continue the newspaper said farmers and
distributors may soon have to start looking for alternative locations to grow
or buy their crops.
Monitoring Irrigation Water Quality
should be done regularly. Frequency of water
samples is dependent on several factors. Growers should test their irrigation
water at least twice a year if producing crops year round. I know one grower that tests their water
weekly! At Hort Americas we are becoming
inundated with fertilizer requests and nutritional recommendations. The first question we’ll ask is “Do you have
results from a recent irrigation water quality test?” If the answer is yes,
great, please forward a copy of the results to us. If the answer is no, please have your irrigation
water quality tested. Next question,
“How do you sample your irrigation water?” Collecting water samples correctly
is important to ensure the results are accurate.
not!?! That is one of the first things
you should do before a single seed is sown. Why? Well, if you don’t measure it,
you can’t manage it. On one hand, you
could be undervaluing your irrigation water by adding unnecessary soluble nutrients.
On the other hand, your irrigation water may be unsuitable for crop production
and/or require additional treatment before use. What do I mean? The irrigation water chemistry made need to
be treated to remove or correct nutritional issues. Or, your irrigation water
may have unwanted sediments that must first be filtered. Entire books are written on irrigation, so we
cannot cover everything in one edition of an e-newsletter. For now, let’s first focus on collecting the irrigation
water sample. As you recall, last month
I shared some videos on growing winter salad greens created by Dr. Brian Krug
from the University of New Hampshire. Once
again, Dr. Krug has composed both a valuable how-to article and a video to help
you correctly collect an irrigation water sample.
Sampling Summary:
Have the right tools e.g. hose or spigot,
bucket, collection bottle, paper towels, submission form, envelope etc.
Flush the water line/hose for at least 3 to 5
minutes
Fill collection bucket
Use a clean collection bottle/container (at
least 8 ounces)
Submerge and fill the collection bottle and cap
under water (no head space)
Complete a submission form (if provided by
testing lab)
Dry and label the collection bottle accordingly
Deliver the envelope to the testing lab
Wait for results
Send Hort Americas a copy of your results J
want to read the following extension publications. Many state extension agencies have produced
similar articles. These are simply two examples of such articles. Check with your local extension specialist as
they may have more information relevant to your geographic location.
- Irrigation Water forGreenhouses and Nurseries, University of Arkansas
- Water QualityManagement for Greenhouse Production, Auburn University
You may also want to
visit the Water Education Alliance for Horticulture. The Water Education Alliance for Horticulture is a team
of researchers and industry experts led by the University of Florida. Their mission is to “help growers conserve
irrigation water and manage water quality issues.”
Visit our corporate website at https://hortamericas.com
When does irrigation water need to be treated?
Having a dependable supply of quality water is critical to producing a good crop, whether that crop is plugs or finished plants, ornamentals or vegetables.
Continue reading When does irrigation water need to be treated?