Getting the ground ready is all about tractor work, getting the soil ready to accept seeds is about irrigation.

  Terry marks and creases at the same time, which saves on time and fuel.

 Then we have to check all the pipes, making sure all the gates are in place and working

The wind has been rather wild this fall, winter and spring filling even the main artery headgate with trash

So the first order of business, after fixing gates and cleaning the ditches

Once everything is clean here, then boards are set to force flow into our main headgate

Water must flow downhill, so just because we are irrigating one field, all the ditches have to be cleaned and ready to go.

Terry makes it look simple here, but a dam must be placed to hold back the water plus each tube has to have the end dug out so the tube lays flat in the row

Success!

  Once started the water is never turned off until harvest.

 We irrigate and then let the ground dry out until it is at moist stage, then the seeds are planted. Depending on the weather, should be around two weeks from now.

 Have a nice weekend!

 Linda