Open Arms of Minnesota

Irrigation at Open Farms

By Ben Penner, Farm Director

When hot weather hits, it is critical that plants in the garden (not to mention the people working in the garden!) get enough timely moisture to grow properly for an abundant harvest. At Open Farms we irrigate using two different systems: drip irrigation (preferred) and sprinkler irrigation (when necessary).

Sprinkler irrigation has the benefit of covering a wide area quickly, but some water never gets to the plant because the water is lofted high in the air with some of it evaporating before it gets to the soil. Additional water is lost because it covers the entire area rather than precisely down the row. We primarily use our sprinklers on crops where it would be hard to irrigate each and every row (lettuce mix, for example).

Drip irrigation takes some time and expertise to install, but once it is installed it puts the water exactly where the plants need it. We use “T-Tape,” also known as “Drip Tape,” which is flexible oval-shaped plastic tubing with slits cut every 12”. When connected to a water source it emits ½ gallon of water every minute per 100’ of tape. If that sounds just a bit technical, well, it is, but basically it gets the water out there, and that is what a farmer or gardener wants.

More from Open Arms

Moveable Feast 2023

SAVE THE DATE! Moveable Feast 2023 set for May 18 at Allianz Field!! Open Arms of Minnesota is proud to announce that the 19th Annual Moveable Feast will be held on Thursday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Allianz Field in St. Paul. Our largest

Read More »

Open House Celebration

Saint Paul Kitchen & Campus, Open House Celebration Open Arms of Minnesota is excited to host an Open House Celebration at our brand-new Saint Paul Kitchen & Campus on Saturday, February 4 from 2-5 p.m. Open Arms invites the general public to explore the

Read More »

Join us for our Open House Celebration! 

YOU are invited to an Open House Celebration for the entire community at our new Open Arms St. Paul Kitchen & Campus! Please join us on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 2-5 p.m. Stop in with family and friends and explore the facility, play games, win prizes, and enter a drawing for fun giveaways.