Waterways Farm Organics
A major supplier of organic vegetables in South Australia, the farm grows a wide range of vegetable types. Photographs are of beds of lettuce several weeks from shipping and sweet corn. Red and white radish are planted between the lettuce directly above Leeaky Hose.
Waterways Farm Organics
Eden Valley Road, Kyneton
South Australia 5353
Contact Bernie Smith: (015) 186 710
Waterways Farm is located at Evandale, Kyneton. One of the first farms settled in the Barossa Ranges of South Australia, the farm biologically produces vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, timber, seedlings, seeds, honey, compost, medium merino wool, mutton and poultry.
The farm is gently undulating at 400 - 450 metres altitude, experiencing a typical Mediterranean climate with 400 - 600mm annual rainfall. The low rainfall is insufficient to allow intensive market gardening using traditional overhead watering methods.
Soils range from sandy loam to clay loam. European farming methods had destroyed soil structure, depleted organic matter and added toxic substances. In 1993 after serious drought and loss of topsoil, alternative farming methods were actively sought and Leeaky Hose was first trialled in that year in the vegetable garden.
Since that time the vegetable operation has been expanded to six acres, consisting of series of formed beds either 60 or 120 metres long.
Water Use
The 1993 trial proved we have been able to reduce water usage by 75 - 80%. The majority of the formed beds have a single run of Leeaky Hose in the centre of each 1.5Metre wide bed, placed just below the surface, or on the surface and covered with mulch before the seedlings are planted.
The seedlings are raised in Arborcell units, which guarantees that each has a long, untangled root structure of up to 10cm long before transplanting into the beds. This ensures that the seedlings are able to immediately secure moisture from the pre-wetted beds, drastically reducing losses.
Once the plants are established the watering cycle is slightly reduced to ensure that the surface remains dry and the taps are regulated to ensure that the lines supply at a maximum of 2 litres per metre per hour.
Watering Supervision
Leeaky Hose has given us considerable time savings over all other systems. Watering flexibility is much greater with Leeaky Hose, as plants are generally deeper rooted. Constant checking of emitters has been eliminated. The larger wetted soil volume has led to longer intervals between watering cycles.
Plumbing Infrastructure
The low operating pressure of Leeaky Hose system means quick and easy installation, and the ability to gravity feed without the need for pressure pumps. The system uses standard fittings. In-line taps are used at the start of each row to adjust flow rates in undulating installations and for individual vegetable types. These factors have led to significant savings in support plumbing, pumping and maintenance costs.
A 2” main covers the first 800 metres from the dam and is connected to 19mm feeder lines that are led across the beginning of each bed. A 13mm is tapped into the feeder line for each bed and connected via an in-line tap directly to the Leeaky Hose.
Fertilisation
Liquid fertiliser may be applied through Leeaky Hose. No atmospheric losses are experienced as the nutrients are delivered direct to the root zone. With each watering sequence atmospheric nitrogen is pumped through the soil, assisting general aeration and encouraging worm activity.
Diseases, Pests & Weeds
These problems have been virtually eliminated. The surface of the soil remains relatively dry preventing the breeding of diseases, insects and weeds. This has been particularly noticeable on snow peas. Conventionally watered (sprinkler) snow peas have shown a strong tendency to contract downy mildew, Leeaky Hose watered snow peas have remained free of this disease.
Generally, disease, insect and weed problems have been reduced by 70% or more.
Species Segregation & Companion Planting
Conventional watering systems make companion planting or inter cropping difficult due to conflicting water requirements.
Leeaky Hose has enabled us to practice companion planting with ease and subsequent success. Planting and harvesting can be carried out with much greater flexibility. This factor has enabled us to produce seed as well as fresh produce.
Root Growth & Yield
A much larger volume of soil in each bed has been accessed by the plants for nutrients. The deeper rooted growth has led to less stress on very hot days. Yields have generally been 20% higher.
