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what kind of pump do I need?

 
Posts: 70
Location: New Jersey
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I recently made some raised beds for gardening by digging out the foot paths(about a foot deep and 2.5ft wide) and dumping the dirt adjacent to create the raised bed. However, those sunken foot paths collect tons of water after a rain. Initially I was thinking about how I can drain that water away but now I'm thinking, why don't I just get a pump which can pump that water back up onto the beds during the growing season, and connect to a drainage hose to divert water away in the winter. The problem is, I don't know the first thing about pumps. So, I'm hoping that someone in the pond thread has experience with pumps and can give me an idea of what kind of pump I need. And hopefully it can be solar powered. I'm all ears!
 
Posts: 95
Location: KY
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My thoughts - let the water sit in the ditch. This is now your irrigation for the next weeks after the rain because the water will absorb back into the bed as it dries. If you must walk through that area, then I would heavy mulch the footpath. Here is why I say that - I just dug out a ditch on contour this fall with my sons. I wanted a footpath full of water because it will irrigate all things downgrade from the water. You want the water on your land as long as possible.

A pump is going to pull a lot of mud and junk in the pipe. If you did want to go the pump route, I would guess a drip line/soaker hose at the top of the raised bed would be best? Personally, I am done watering plants from the air because of evaporation and leaf mildew (I kept having mildew issues regardless of when I watered from a sprinkler).
 
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