Drip Irrigation for Third World Kitchen Gardens

By By Richard D. Chapin Richard D. Chapin Executive Director Chapin Living Waters Executive Director Chapin Living Waters And And William A. Chapin William A. Chapin President Chapin Watermatics Inc. President Chapin Watermatics Inc.

In the 1970’s a simple In the 1970’s a simple and inexpensive Bucket Kit and inexpensive Bucket Kit was developed. It was found that a 5 gallon bucket one that a 5 gallon bucket one meter above the soil would meter above the soil would provide enough pressure to provide enough pressure to Irrigate 2 Rows 50 feet long ! Irrigate 2 Rows 50 feet long !

The same Bucket Kit The same Bucket Kit can Also be Used For : can Also be Used For : 4 rows 25 feet long 4 rows 25 feet long or or 6 rows 16.5 feet long 6 rows 16.5 feet long

When it is first installed, When it is first installed, the bucket should be the bucket should be filled 2 or 3 Times. filled 2 or 3 Times. This makes a wet spot This makes a wet spot at each outlet. at each outlet.

Then, a plant is transplanted Then, a plant is transplanted in each wet spot, so that every drop of water goes directly to a plant. in each wet spot, so that every drop of water goes directly to a plant.

Often the water used for Often the water used for Bucket Kits is rather dirty. Bucket Kits is rather dirty. To overcome this, a 3 stage To overcome this, a 3 stage filtering system is used. filtering system is used.

1 st Stage: A Heavy Cloth is Tied to the Top of the Bucket

2 nd Stage: 2 nd Stage: A Screen Filter at the bottom of A Screen Filter at the bottom of the bucket the bucket 3 rd Stage: 3 rd Stage: An Internal Filter extending the An Internal Filter extending the full length of the Drip Lines. full length of the Drip Lines.

The Drip Lines should be The Drip Lines should be installed with the outlets up. installed with the outlets up. ~ This allows any Foreign particles This allows any Foreign particles to fall to the bottom of the tape to fall to the bottom of the tape where it can be flushed out the where it can be flushed out the end. end.

Preparing the Bed

Laying the Drip Lines Laying the Drip Lines

Transplanting

Usually, filling the 5 gallon Usually, filling the 5 gallon bucket once in the morning bucket once in the morning and once in the afternoon is and once in the afternoon is sufficient. sufficient. However, when the growth is large and there is a very hot dry wind, it might need a 3 rd filling. However, when the growth is large and there is a very hot dry wind, it might need a 3 rd filling.

Larger Field

¼ ACRE FIELD FIELD

Tomatoes in 2005 Tomatoes in 2005

2005 is the 11th year that 2005 is the 11th year that this same Bucket Kit was this same Bucket Kit was used in our test plot, and used in our test plot, and in 2005 it produced nearly in 2005 it produced nearly 700 pounds of Tomatoes! 700 pounds of Tomatoes!

We are pleased to know that similar Kits are being manufactured in several countries. We are pleased to know that similar Kits are being manufactured in several countries. We encourage more manufacturers We encourage more manufacturers and organizations to help starving and organizations to help starving people and get this type of simple people and get this type of simple drip irrigation into their hands! drip irrigation into their hands!

No COMPANY or No COMPANY or ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION can meet the needs of the can meet the needs of the WHOLE WORLD ! WHOLE WORLD !

Presented at Presented at The Irrigation Association The Irrigation Association 27 th Annual International Show 27 th Annual International Show On November 7,2006 On November 7,2006 San Antonio,TX USA San Antonio,TX USA