TO: K. Putnam
FROM: Eric Koperek =
erickoperek@gmail.com
SUBJECT: Clay Pot Irrigation
DATE: PM 2:04 Sunday 21 August 2016
TEXT:
(1) Clay pot irrigation is an ancient Chinese agricultural technology first written by Sheng-Han in his "Agriculturist Book of China" in the first century before Christ (circa 100 BC). Chinese farmers used this technique to grow melons in arid and semi-arid regions because the water use efficiency is nearly 100% = almost no water is lost to weeds, waste, runoff, evaporation, or drainage. Clay pot irrigation is still useful today, especially in places where water is scarce or expensive. With clay jars large amounts of food can be grown with comparatively little water. The closest comparable modern irrigation technology is "drip irrigation".
(2) Space holes 14 feet apart equidistantly, 14 rows x 14 holes in each row = 196 holes per acre.
(3) Dig holes not less than 5 inches deep and 24 inches diameter.
(4) Fill holes with 40 pounds of dry manure + 40 pounds topsoil = 80 pounds total WEIGHT. If you dig a larger hole use the same proportions, 1 : 1 = 50% dried manure + 50% topsoil = 100% by WEIGHT. Do not measure by volume or the soil mixture will be too heavy and dense. You want a very high organic matter soil that absorbs water like a sponge.
(5) Bury a 6 to 8 liter = 1 1/2 gallon to 2 gallon porous UN-GLAZED clay water jar in the center of each planting hole. Sink the jar so that the rim is level with the soil surface. Note: Jar neck should not rise above grade level or much water will be lost to evaporation.
(6) Fill jar with water all the way up to the rim. Jar must be completely full = brim full.
(7) Place a lid or tile over jar mouth to prevent evaporation.
(

Plant 4 melon seeds equidistantly around clay water jar.
(9) Mulch planting hole with agricultural wastes. If organic materials are not available use rocks of pebbles to cover soil. Mulch retards water evaporation from soil.
(10) Re-fill clay irrigation jars daily. Fill jars completely = brim full to maintain constant water pressure through ceramic.
(11) Melon root hairs will cover jar surface absorbing water as it slowly seeps from ceramic.
(12) You can use larger jars (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 gallons) to irrigate bushes and trees. This is a great way of growing lemons in the desert.
(13) To make your own clay water jars mix 25% fine corn meal or similar material with 75% pottery clay = 100% by VOLUME. When jars are fired cornmeal burns away leaving porous ceramic filled with millions of tiny holes.
(14) You can fire clay water jars on top of the ground = no kiln required. Surround jars (top, sides, and bottom) with a 12 inch = 31 centimeter deep layer of wood or dried cow manure cakes.
(15) Do not disturb jars until embers are completely cool.
(16) Alternatively, have a local potter make clay water jars for you.
(17) Key concepts to remember: Soil must have very high organic matter content to hold sufficient water for plants. Clay jars must be un-glazed and buried to their rims. Fill jars to the brim daily. Always cover jar mouth with a lid or tile to prevent evaporation. Cover soil in planting hole with mulch to prevent evaporation.
ERIC KOPEREK =
erickoperek@gmail.com
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