How much does it cost to irrigate 10,000 plants?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
  • Irrigation is a huge consideration when building a nursery of any size. How much does it cost us to irrigate our plants in the hot summer months? In this video, we do a deep dive to figure it out.
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ความคิดเห็น • 87

  • @VinylNostalgia
    @VinylNostalgia ปีที่แล้ว

    I just came across your website this week and have been working my way up from your earlier videos. I also had dreams of starting a small nursery like yours way back in 2000. I even purchased 10 acres of raw land which I had a mobile home brought in and eventually got a septic system installed and electricity brought onto the property as well as having "city" water run half a mile to my property line. I had all that work done a little at a time because like you I pay cash for everything. I was working full time and was only able to get out to my property on the weekends; I live in Louisville on 1/3 acre. My plan was to get everything for my nursery set up and the land paid off while I was still working. I was in the process of getting estimates on building a barn with living quarters upstairs when the big recession hit in 2008. I had just paid off the property and was planning on having a permanent house/barn built when I was permanently laid off from my day job. Long story short, at the age of 58 in 2009 I was too young to retire and get social security but so old that nobody would hire me. I had to live on my savings that I was planning to use to build my house/barn with. Now at almost 72 years old after watching your videos, I again have the motivation to at least start a tiny hobby nursery here at home and try selling from my driveway to make a few bucks. I have many well established plants in my yard that I can start cuttings from. I thank you for your wonderful videos.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Right on! If you're able bodied at all, you can have a thriving nursery. It doesn't have to be huge. Doesn't have to consume your whole life. Seems like you're on the right track.

    • @VinylNostalgia
      @VinylNostalgia ปีที่แล้ว

      @@savvydirtfarmer - I'm healthy and able bodied but it's just me by myself, I don't have a family to help with things. I do what I can.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@VinylNostalgia Exactly. Do what you can.

  • @Growing-Our-Retirement
    @Growing-Our-Retirement ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Love the water pressure that you have! That really reduces the time you have to devote to watering. Great video 👍👍👍

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It’s a firehose. Too much at times, but I’d rather deal with too much than too little any day

  • @marklite7304
    @marklite7304 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for all your inspiration brother. Keeps it up!

  • @lighthouse739
    @lighthouse739 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for sharing! Nursery is looking great!🌱

  • @wordvendor1
    @wordvendor1 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Really helpful and informative! Your nursery is looking so lush and beautiful!! 💜 Stay cool!

  • @cathyw425
    @cathyw425 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for sharing this valuable information! Much appreciated! Best wishes to your nursery and family!❤❤

  • @VinylNostalgia
    @VinylNostalgia ปีที่แล้ว

    I have a question for you. You don't seem to have a video on garden pests and how you deal with them. I used to collect conifers and I lost probably 3/4 of them a few years ago when they succumbed to bag worms. Do you plan on doing a video on this topic? Thanks.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      Basically, I spray harmful pests when I see them. When Japanese beetles start showing, I spray what I can see. I never drench all my plants or spray more than necessary. I use about 1 pint of bifenthrin concentrate per year.

  • @beckysmith7142
    @beckysmith7142 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good to know! Thanks!

  • @Dr.Warren
    @Dr.Warren ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Awesome work and information! $151 isn't bad at all. It might cheaper for you to stay on municipal water instead of digging a well. Your break even on a well would be years out at those low water cost.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Exactly. As our water needs increase with a growing nursery, we’ll adjust if we need to.

    • @Dr.Warren
      @Dr.Warren ปีที่แล้ว

      @@savvydirtfarmer on a sidenote I tried to email you from my Snead email. Not sure if you got it or not. I might have typed in the address wrong.

  • @emilyneal7888
    @emilyneal7888 ปีที่แล้ว

    Everything is looking so good. The plants are loving the water. Thanks for sharing.

  • @amsohn1
    @amsohn1 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video! Thanks, we are in the heat of Texas and right now we have around 102 - 105° daily. Just keeping our veggies garden watered has been a thought one right now.
    As we are planning our nursery this video really helps.
    Thanks again & Blessings ❤

  • @spacebirb4339
    @spacebirb4339 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    So cool to see how others are doing when comes to water and how they irrigate, a lot of things to learn for everyone for sure!

  • @amishjim
    @amishjim 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for all the great info, yo. Something to consider- Is your water and sewage locked together? My buddy opened a brewery and his water bills were big. He found out that the sewage bill was based on his water usage, the thought being water in, water out, but in his case, his water out was in bottles. Your water out is in plants. I'd check that out, you could save some loot. Cheers!

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      We're on septic. Water is charged by gallons through the meter only.

  • @danradtke1663
    @danradtke1663 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Awesome growth of your nursery. Great first year infrastructure improvements.

  • @pamelamercado6902
    @pamelamercado6902 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    In the past we had flood irrigation when we move to this property its city water. It has not rained here in my area of Arizona in months the temp has been over 110 for a few weeks now so far 116 has been the high. I use water for all the plants I also use the water to water and water down the areas that the animals are all in I hate to see my bill. I totally agree with you on the well it cost about the same here to put one in and when they break down it can cost you a few thousand rather you repair it or someone else. Personally I like fast returns . Your nursery & plants are looking fantastic I just love all the green

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      And it seems to me there’s a MUCH higher chance of a well pump/electric going out than the city water… virtually never happens.

  • @FlomatonFamous
    @FlomatonFamous ปีที่แล้ว

    Have you looked into the price to put in a well in your area? We have a guy here in south Alabama and he puts in wells for $2500. Might want to look around.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I have not. My guesses are based off what I have "heard." What I learned from doing this little exercise though, is that even in the long run, my public water is just not going to be a major expense. Unless my water needs increase drastically, and they could eventually, I have no need at all for a well. It's not practical, financially or otherwise. That could change, of course.

  • @TofuInc
    @TofuInc 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My highest usage just this year for my home, lawn and garden was 21k gallons, for that I paid $58. 26k gallons is quite efficient usage to water 10k+ plants especially considering 5k gallons of that was for the house. It pretty wild how water rates differ so much across the US.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Absolutely. I don’t know what all the reasons are but you’re right - there is HUGE variation in water rates

  • @dl6317
    @dl6317 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I have been following your channel and like the info. I wonder if you've ever tried using soaker hoses so that you can take advantage of the shade that your plants provide? At least then you're not battling evaporation.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      Soaker hose wouldn’t work with thousands of individual pots to try to get hose into.

  • @DanielMorales-ug4ul
    @DanielMorales-ug4ul ปีที่แล้ว

    Hope you're doing well! Great video with a lot of information! As far as the fabric, do you do any prep before laying it?

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      Just mow the grass, lay the fabric, and in just a few weeks the ground (grass) underneath smooths out nicely.

  • @denisebalog994
    @denisebalog994 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great info 👍 We do have a well but have not utilized for gardening at this time. It is one of the 3 next things before getting going on large numbers of plants. Zone 7 b southern OK and water is precious.
    Yiu guys must have done the praise and hallelujah happy dance when your bill showed up 🙌👏 I was happy for you 👏👍🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱😊 Love watching and learning as we follow the path before us!🌱💚 Thank you 😊

  • @cejanuary9378
    @cejanuary9378 ปีที่แล้ว

    Honestly that is an amazing price for that much water. We pay $108-$140 a month for only 900 gallons or so in our house in Massachusetts. That isn't even with watering a garden. And it is always being flagged for contaminants. Makes me want to move south.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      Gross!! I'm sorry yall have to deal with that.

  • @farmyourbackyard2023
    @farmyourbackyard2023 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Water redundancy is one of the most important aspects to consider when having a nursery. Rainwater catchment is an option, a Sandpoint well is an option, depending on your depth of water table, and a reserve backup tank from your municipal water is also an option. Either way it sounds like you’ve got your primary water dialed in.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes! And, thanks for including municipal in that. That IS the best way for us right now, and it’s not even close.

    • @farmyourbackyard2023
      @farmyourbackyard2023 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@savvydirtfarmer absolutely. I live in Northeast Oklahoma. In the last three years we’ve experienced some of the hundred year cycle weather patterns. Last year we had 70+ days over 100° with no rain. Many locations were under water restrictions and not allowed to water using municipal water. I was so glad I had a 1500 gallon rainwater tank connected to the roof of my home so that I could keep all of my elderberry cuttings alive through the summer. That’s when water redundancy was really emphasized for me. This year we have been fortunate to have more rain, so my watering costs are much lower because of both the rain and the utilization of my rain tank water. It’s a complex issue that requires a variety of solutions.

  • @robertsimmons5575
    @robertsimmons5575 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    very interesting video. I hope you have success with all that you are doing

  • @redwood1957
    @redwood1957 ปีที่แล้ว

    And you get a good water. If you had a well what type of water would you get. Would you have to treat it. Electricity,pumps,pressure switches,tanks,filters.

  • @danielfowler5940
    @danielfowler5940 ปีที่แล้ว

    I pulled in there today in the red truck but didn’t want to bother ya. I think some good content to add would be what kind of sprinkler heads are more effective or efficient in your opinion. Where to get these products and why you chose them. Also the cost of them with irrigation. One thing would be how to plumb up valve’s timers and brand timers and where to get them and how to program them . Also what happens in a power failure. I hope I’m not stepping on your toes I’ve just been through this and been in it several years. Sims bark is bringing me an 18 wheeler load of pine bark this week so I was close and just thought I’d see what ya had.

  • @TheRainHarvester
    @TheRainHarvester ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks this is exactly what i requested! Great info

  • @jamesandrew5338
    @jamesandrew5338 ปีที่แล้ว

    Struggling trying to most propogation. What are the waist heads you use ? What I bought aren’t working very well. Watched your mist videos but can’t seem to find the heads you used in them. Been subscribed to you guys for a couple years. Your story and advice keeps up perseverance. Thanks !

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Here's where I got em. Once you click the link, scroll down that page about 5 items and you'll see "mist sprayers." I got the green ones. Truth be known, green makes the mist a bit too "foggy." I'd like a different color better, but I don't know which way to go and the green works fine.

    • @jamesandrew5338
      @jamesandrew5338 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks very much appreciated

    • @jamesandrew5338
      @jamesandrew5338 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@savvydirtfarmerwhat link ? I clicked links in the more section of this video but couldn’t find most heads. Sorry for being a pain I know your swamped with work as well

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jamesandrew5338 www.mortonproducts.com/page.cfm/1280
      Good grief... I forgot to paste it in! There ya go.

  • @Whipporwhill
    @Whipporwhill ปีที่แล้ว

    You're fortunate to have an abundance of cheap water!

  • @ryanshaw5182
    @ryanshaw5182 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That works out to something like 6/10 of a penny per gallon. We pay more than double that here in northern Virginia!

  • @brendaadamson5469
    @brendaadamson5469 ปีที่แล้ว

    What type of sprinkler heads are you using? I am using sinnenger wobblers, which work great, but the spray pattern on yours looks better. Thx

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      These yellow ones are Signature 1973 wiz head (don't get look-alike knock offs - they're trash). I want to try the sinnengers.. they look good!

  • @titosrevenger
    @titosrevenger ปีที่แล้ว

    I wonder if some sort of system that waters from below would be more efficient. If you were able to pour slabs that were perfectly level with a 2 inch lip all around, you could pump water into the slab and let the pots soak it all up from below.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Guarantee I could make a disaster out of that

    • @titosrevenger
      @titosrevenger ปีที่แล้ว

      😂😂😂
      I might give it a try one day. Although I wouldn't be doing anything near your scale. Just growing plants for my own 1 acre garden.

    • @popandbob
      @popandbob ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes its more efficient but you must weigh the cost of it against the cost of the extra water (not only the physical cost but the environmental)
      I was looking at doing a pond liner version of what you speak of (far cheaper and more portable if ever I have to move the plants for whatever reason) but since I’m in a dry area the extra water usage is a benefit to my environment and doesn’t cost me extra (fixed rate from the irrigation district)

  • @mikecorcoran6834
    @mikecorcoran6834 ปีที่แล้ว

    Rain Water catch system will do the trick.

  • @claytonwalker7536
    @claytonwalker7536 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for breaking all this down. I have one greenhouse and about 2k gallon rainwater catchment capabilities. It in no way keeps up during the summer months in Tennessee. I've been wandering roughly how much it's costing me to water daily.

  • @terrahillfarm
    @terrahillfarm ปีที่แล้ว +2

    If a break or malfunction in the local municipal water system cut your water off for 5-7 days in the summer, would that damage your Nursery stock?? If so, I’d suggest investing in a 3-5,000 gallon poly tank, diverting some municipal water to fill it and having an electric pump available for emergencies. Or maybe cut a deal with a neighbor who has a well and keep enough hose handy. 😊

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Anything is possible. I'm 45 years old and can remember municipal water ever going out twice... both due to freeze/broken water mains, when I wouldn't have needed water anyway. The chance is not zero, but it's pretty dang close. Some sort of backup is never a bad idea though.

  • @jophillips5729
    @jophillips5729 ปีที่แล้ว

    Do you use a fungicide on a regular basis when you use overhead irrigation?

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      I never use fungicide. Haven;t needed to.,

  • @anneharper577
    @anneharper577 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So for 10000 plants, it is costing you about 27 cents per plant per year to water, not including the cost of the irrigation system. That to me seems very good. Well done!

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That would be running water every day. More realistically, it’s closer to 10-15 cents.

  • @kburkes4245
    @kburkes4245 ปีที่แล้ว

    You may have mentioned this, but I'm assuming you're on a separate meter specifically for irrigation? Do you get a different rate than regular house service?

  • @joerichmond98
    @joerichmond98 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Maybe I missed it, but how far apart are your whiz head sprinklers?

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Mine are about 15' apart, but I have crazy water pressure, and that might not be realistic for most situations.

  • @JerzeyGardenZ
    @JerzeyGardenZ 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    what was the total area you irrigated?

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Don’t know exact square footage, but in the neighborhood of 8-10k sq ft

  • @msbrigitte3449
    @msbrigitte3449 ปีที่แล้ว

    What area are y'all in? We are in Tampa FL so we get plenty of rain to help out with the watering. What area are you in just to get an idea of ya'll geographically.

  • @juliknapp9270
    @juliknapp9270 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love not using drip.. we use drip because of the water use. We have no rain this yr either. For the amount of plants u r watering the price not bad!

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      Drip saves a ton of water. But… we move a lot of plants - selling, up-potting, etc. I can only imagine the pain that would be. Also… many of our plants are in small 3” pots growing out and drip isn’t even possible there

    • @juliknapp9270
      @juliknapp9270 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ur right it is a TOTAL PAIN. But we haf it for mums . You have to use drip for that. I also still do lots by hand. Like the 3 inch pots. Im like u. Trying to figure it all out. Paying as i go, still working full time. Im so happy for u guys getting to do this full time

  • @John_GGG
    @John_GGG ปีที่แล้ว

    “A thousand more perennials next week…”. No problem shipping live plants in this heat? I thought that was risky?

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      People who know how to ship and do 2-3 day shipping can do it. Me? I wouldn’t. But I’m not an expert. I stick to winter bare root shipping and maybe plugs in cooler weather.

  • @CoffeeCakeCrumble
    @CoffeeCakeCrumble ปีที่แล้ว

    My house is currently on a well pumping hard, calcium and lime saturated water which makes it lethal to vegetation. I have a rain water system that maxes out at 385 gallons behind the house that I use instead ..... translation: quad+yard cart+buckets filled with rainwater transported to the south property=tedious tedious tedious hand watering. I'm pushing to get hooked up to the township waterline this year (sourced from Lake Huron) just at the house and run underground lines across to the other property. I'll keep the rainwater as a backup. Numbers are definitely doable👍

    • @TheRainHarvester
      @TheRainHarvester ปีที่แล้ว

      You may like some gravity-fed rain water videos videosi made!

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      Sounds like you’re working it out!

  • @deathroll69
    @deathroll69 ปีที่แล้ว

    That seems incredibly cheap for water.

  • @jamesandrew5338
    @jamesandrew5338 ปีที่แล้ว

    Based upon your numbers. 750 cents per day div by 10000 plants x 365 days per year = 27.5 cents per plant for a years worth of watering. Which over a year it won’t be that much because your numbers are during most needing time of the year. Regardless 28 cents per plant per year would still be affordable expense. Thanks for video great meat and potato information ! We have a well and great water quality so blessed. If you could share the components of your mist system and open large area especially the heads used that would be greatly appreciated.

    • @savvydirtfarmer
      @savvydirtfarmer  ปีที่แล้ว

      That’s about right. Over the course of a year, it probably averages $.10/plant