Dear Ken May - Thanks very much for your very helpful reply. You've helped me confirm that the drip-irrigation should & will accommodate the plantings & that it does not need to be the other way round. I needed to check that assumption in case there were some implicit constraints that I should keep in mind when designing the layout of the various plantings.

Thanks too for the other comments to my other questions - all very helpful. I'll be making contact with your designer, Phil Ausra, in the near future so that I have a 'road-map' to consider & implement.

Sincerely,
Leszek Vincent
PhytoSynergy LLC (www.phytosynergy.com)

--Previous Message--
: First of all, we will not be concerned about
: the slight slope. It preesents no problem.
: It will also be a simple matter to overcome
: the 200 yards between the lake and the
: fields.
:
: As to the layout of your fields, I suggest
: you really look more at your own needs. You
: should consider what you will have to do as
: far as maintaining the crops and getting
: around the fields. We will design the system
: to fit your needs, not the other way around.
:
: As to what system we will recommend... this
: is a bit premature. We would probably
: suggest using a "tape", like
: T-Tape, Ro-Drip, Streamline, etc. This is an
: economical way to go. As to
: "disconnectable pipes or a fully
: connectable system", well, those are
: simple mechanical issues that need to be
: determined by your needs.
:
: Now the pump is an issue that needs to be
: addressed once the system is designed. Until
: then there is simply no way we can say what
: the pump will be. We prefer to use electric
: pumps when electricity is there. We prefer
: not to use gravity fed systems. There is
: usually not enough pressure developed. In
: any case the system needs to be designed.
:
: A major consideration might be the
: filtration system. Pumping from a lake makes
: for interesting challenges in getting the
: water clean enough for drip irrigation. The
: size and type of filter will have to be
: determined once the system is designed.
:
: I am sorry I could not answer your questions
: more directly. I am not trying to be
: evasive. Once you have determined the best
: layout for your needs, I would encourage you
: to contact our designer, Phil Ausra, in our
: Michigan location. He will be happy to
: design your system, at absolutely no charge,
: when you are ready. Then you will have
: answers to all of your questions! Phil can
: be reached at 800-874-2553 by phone,
: 269-429-6669 by fax, phil@trickl-eez.com by
: e-mail.
:
: Thanks!
:
: Ken May
:
: --Previous Message--
: Dear representative of Trickl-Eez,
:
: I'm preparing to plant 4 herb species in
: mid-Missouri. Here are the numbers:
: 1. Species A (500 plants) - perennial
: 2. Species B (825 plants) - perennial
: 3. Species C (630 plants) - perennial
: 4. Species D (840 plants) - annual
:
: I have a small lake within 200 yds of the
: proposed beds & plan to use this
: lake/pond water for irrigating the crops.
: This could be either via a water
: tank/gravity feed approach (filled via a
: pump in the lake) or directly via a pumped
: line.
:
: The land is on a slight slope (2-5 degrees)
: and the drop between the potential location
: of the gravity feed tank (?) & the lake
: is approx. 15-20' or more.
:
: I don't have limitations on the size of the
: plots for the plantings (I have 12 acres of
: on which to work - but will be concentrating
: this growing in an area closest to the water
: supply). But I'm wondering if there is some
: optimal design/layout that I should consider
: & which is best matched to the needs of
: drip-irrigation & your company's
: products.
:
: My questions: 1. Can you advise me on the
: recommended layout for each species so that
: the intended drip-irrigation system I use
: will be most cost-effective &
: productive? What I'm looking for is info. on
: how best to lay out the plantings so that I
: can accommodate the appropriate
: drip-irrigation system(s).
:
: 2. What drip-irrigation system would you
: recommend for my proposed water supply?
: Would a gravity feed system work or should I
: drop that idea & develop the direct pump
: approach? Should I used disconnectable pipes
: (to the main supply line) or should I use
: taps on a fully connected system?
:
: I need to consider a relatively low budget
: drip-irrigation system.
:
: 3. What pump etc. system would you recommend
: for my anticipated needs?
:
: 4. I'm still wrestling with how to work out
: the anticipated water needs of the 4
: species. They will be planted out in the
: open (4 or more beds). I suspect that the
: water needs will be a little less than that
: for tomatoes.
:
: Thanks for considering my questions & I
: look forward to your professional inputs to
: help me solve my challenges.
:
: Sincerely,
: Leszek Vincent
:
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