Smart watering, better roots

Like the rest of the southern United States, Bayou Garden Growers has had a long hot summer that is stretching into fall which further underscores the role of irrigation on the farm.

"We use low flow drip irrigation for our trees and moderate the application of water by rainfall and tree varieties," said David Broussard, owner of Bayou Garden Growers.  

The long plastic hose with built-in emitters and calibrated flow rates puts the correct amount or water right at the plants' root zones.  Another benefit of drip irrigation is the judicious use of water, minimizing waste. The lines are stretched along the row, fastened with anchoring pins and connected to sub-surface field lines. 

"We do use overhead irrigation in our staging areas, but we work to limit its use which curbs disease in our humid climate and helps ensure that our watering efforts are most efficient," he said. 

 Monitoring every aspect of the system is a daily task on the farm to ensure plants are getting the water they need. Plumbing is just one of the many skills necessary for a successful nursery.

"It is inevitable that mowers nick a line or something breaks," Broussard said. "We are looking at the function of our irrigation system and the health of our trees every day. Our operation is focused on developing extraordinary root systems that move from field to landscape with limited stress on the plant.  Irrigation is a critical component."