Irrigation in market gardening

Irrigation is a crucial step in market garden cultivation, and bio-intensive market gardening stands out for its thoughtful and efficient approach to irrigation. Drip irrigation offers specific characteristics that make it a central element of this practice.

One of the distinctive characteristics of drip irrigation is its precision. Unlike other irrigation methods, drip delivers water directly to the base of the plants, where it is most needed. This optimises water use by avoiding losses linked to evaporation, runoff and dispersion.

Drip lines aligned along the crops

Another important characteristic of drip irrigation is its ability to reduce diseases and weeds. By avoiding watering the aerial parts of plants, drip limits excessive moisture on the soil surface, creating an environment less conducive to weed growth and the development of fungal diseases.

Key benefits

  • Precision in water distribution at the base of the plants, avoiding water losses linked to evaporation, runoff and dispersion.
  • Reduction of diseases and weeds by avoiding watering the aerial parts of plants and limiting excessive moisture on the soil surface.
  • Better control of soil moisture by adapting the frequency and duration of irrigation, encouraging deep and strong root development.
  • Saving time and labour thanks to the automation of drip systems, freeing market gardeners from the daily manual watering task.

Our detailed video

Going further

View of a bio-intensive micro-farm equipped with drip irrigation
Discover the on-site Micro-farm training at Les Jardins de la Valette
Take it further with our on-site Micro-farm training.