Use of irrigation can prevent crop losses due to drought, support consistent crop yield and quality, and allow production of a greater variety of crops. Even in areas where crops have historically been produced without supplemental irrigation (e.g., the Northeast United States), there is growing evidence for the economic benefits of irrigation. As climate change and variability increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather patterns, such as heat and drought interspersed with heavy precipitation events, the need for and benefits of irrigation are likely to increase for Northeastern U.S. farmers.

There are a variety of irrigation systems that farmers may consider installing. Two options suitable for small and medium New England farms are drip and solid set sprinkler irrigation systems. This brief presents these irrigation systems generally and does not address their use in specific contexts such as high-tunnels or greenhouses.

Farmers interested in more information about technical and financial support for the implementation of these systems should consult with local extension agents. Potential irrigation water sources include an on-farm pond fed by runoff from surrounding areas, an on-site well, or nearby streams and lakes. The quantity and quality of water are site-specific but are of significant importance. A rough estimate of the irrigation water (pumping rate) need for the region is about 10-15 gallons per minute per acre for irrigation events lasting about 8 hours a day.

Drip irrigation brings water to crop root zones through low pressure devices, such as drip emitters, micro spray, sprays, and bubblers, that are operated just above or directly on the ground, or just under the soil surface. This option works well in orchards and vineyards and in vegetable and flower production. While drip irrigation is easy to install, highly efficient, effective on sloping and oddly shaped fields, and largely unaffected by wind, it has high management and maintenance needs, including those related to issues such as clogging and bacterial and algal growth.

Solid set irrigation is a sprinkler system that uses higher pressure and water volume than drip irrigation. It is frequently used on small and medium farms due to its adaptability to a variety of soil and field conditions, the ability to easily automate it, versatility offered by the option to make it portable, and for its additional use for frost prevention. Furthermore, sprinklers can be beneficial when plants are in early growth stages with shallow root systems since sprinklers wet the entire field area and ensure that the entire crop has access to water. Due to the high flow, a substantial water supply, such as that from a pond or large well, is required to support this sprinkler system. Weed control around the sprinkler risers is also needed to maintain their visibility and prevent accidental damage from farm equipment operated nearby. Solid set sprinkler systems may also require close management, ensuring that the rate of application does not exceed the rate of soil absorption to prevent overwatering and subsequent runoff and erosion. Since uniform application of water can be a challenge with sprinklers (e.g., windy days), attention should be given to all sprinkler irrigated areas to avoid under- and over-watering.