Entry 2: Irrigation & Pesticides

 This week I spent a lot of time learning irrigation techniques, watering, and gaining experience in applying pesticides like Herbicide and Insecticide. 

05/19/2025: We spent the morning irrigating the high tunnel, persimmons, and variety trial fields with sprinkler irrigation. The irrigation system is turned on, then we drain each row first to clear out any debris or mud that can be stuck in the piping. After this, we go row by row checking each sprinkler to make sure they are working properly. This is the first irrigation routine of the season, so there were many sprinklers that were clogged and needed to be cleaned. 

While the irrigation in these fields were running, we got to work setting up a drip irrigation system in the teaching row. 

05/22/2025: In the morning, I watered the freshly planted kiwi and young apricots in the variety trial field, some of the young apricots in the high tunnel, and the trees in the teaching row. The watering was done using a bucket to pour water around the tree in a puddle, which gives the roots the opportunity to soak up the water overtime. 

Many days this week, we applied pesticides. Glyphosate, and herbicide, was applied to the persimmons and figs using a spray gun and spot-spraying the weeds. Insecticide was applied while wearing Tyvek suits and gloves, using buckets to soil drench the persimmons and the teaching row. 

See you next week🌳