When choosing an irrigation system, there are advantages and disadvantages of different types and the specific situation should be a prime consideration.  If suitable for your application, drip irrigation can be a great choice compared to overhead or sprinkler systems for a number of reasons.

Drip systems:

• Use less water
• Reduce pest/disease problems because it doesn’t wet the entire plant or cause soil splash
• Can be integrated with fertilizer applications (i.e., fertigation) for improved timing and placement, as well as cost savings
• Can help avoid requirement of potential new produce safety rules that may require testing of overhead irrigation water

• Improving soil health, especially increasing soil organic matter, will help boost a soil’s water holding capacity. This additional water in the soil profile aids resilience by enabling plants to avoid water stress during some dry periods.
• Also, consider trying more drought-tolerant vegetable and forage varieties.  These can significantly improve yields in a dry year.   UVM Extension’s Sid Bosworth has this presentation on considerations for forage species (PDF).

Want to make use of your pond water for irrigation?  In order to utilize ponds and other surface water sources for micro-irrigation, use of a sand filter is recommended. Commercial models require a substantial, and sometimes cost-prohibitive, investment for small or beginning farmers.  A need exists for an effective low-cost alternative, which Farming & Climate Change Coordinator Joshua Faulkner has developed and can be downloaded here.

Download detailed plans for the construction and operation of the filter (PDF file).