Learn about water wise irrigation from Charles B. Duncan, Master Gardener. The workshop will be held on Saturday, October 30 from 10am to noon. The talk, demonstration and practice session is at the Ojai Enrichment Center campus, 210 Canada Street.
This free event aims to demystify the world of irrigation and to empower people to assess their water application needs in order to make needed changes and repairs.
Mr. Duncan brings considerable expertise to this subject with his degree in Horticulture and many years experience in the field. He has been a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener since 1995 and owned a local landscape business since 2001.
After describing how water moves, Mr. Duncan will discuss water wise application, highlighting drip irrigation.
Drip irrigation is the frequent, slow application of water through emitters that carry water to the root zone of each plant. It works well for vegetable gardens, fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines and container plants. Drip systems can save water and improve plant performance while reducing weed and pest problems.
In the orchard of the Ojai Enrichment Center, Mr. Duncan will demonstrate how to assess existing irrigation systems and transition to a drip system. Participants will look at each component of a drip irrigation system and learn how they are assembled for maximum efficiency.
Everyone will have an opportunity to apply new information and develop skills in small groups with the guidance of Ojai Valley Master Gardeners. After evaluating specific irrigation problems, people will actually modify drip emitters or microsprinklers and observe their efficiency.
In addition to learning by doing, the community participants will be providing service to the Ojai Enrichment Center, a day care program for developmentally challenged adults!