outdoor irigation

hi,
I am soon planting a nice size outdoor grow. I will be planting next a creek and was wondering if anyone had any ideas about how to set up a irrigation system. I was thinking if i damed up the creek i could dig trenches that went next to the rows of plants. The trenches would be conected to the damed up creek bringing watter to the soil around the plants. THe only thing about that is you cannot control the water flow. these are just ideas for my next year grow as it is too late to do it now. I will also be making a nice grow journal in about a month so watch for that if you know whats good for ya.

later mates

my thinking would be that unless you're an excellent agricultural engineer, you'd very likely end up drowning or letting the plants dry out. i think you're better off with some buckets, some water-retention crystals, visits a couple times a week, and hopefully some rainfall; near a river is good; what's your climate like?

i can't imagine you making this work. it would be way to easy too kill plants you've worked hard to grow

og grower, i dont have any experience with auto irrigation but this might help you out.

International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - Guerrilla auto-Irrigation (Watering your plants when you aren't there)

Heya and welcome.
I need to make a quick point here:
Interrupting the flow of a natural stream without an ecological impact study, public hearings, permits, engineering plans, etc is illegal and virtually guaranteed to draw unwanted attention to your grow and yourself if anyone sees you.
Just a heads up for you safety and also honestly for the environment, because we need to remember to keep up a good ethical image among growers.
That being said, there are certainly ways to irrigate! Have you considered a rain barrel of some sort... I am imagining a 55 gallon drum sunk into the hillside up=grade of your grow, with buried irrigation drip lines fed by gravity, leading down to where your grow is. I'm not near a piece of paper but I'll draw a diagram tomorrow if someone reminds me. Then upgrade of the rain barrel, you hook up a very simple trench system to fill the barrel, and a simple filter over the intake... this interests me because the big PITA of outdoor is carrying water.
Hmmmm I have to think about this a little.

real good point stinkeyattic, that would draw some attention if i damed the creek. i think ill just stick to manualy watering. i was also wondering how well water-retention crystals work? would it even be worth it ?

yes i think water polymers are excellent for out door gurilla grows. i plan on getting some as soon as the money makes itself myway.

Yes, water crystals do help you to get a LOT more growth than you will get without them. Since it is such a simple addition, it really makes no sense to try growing without adding them. Add crystals and a good amount or organic amendments and you can get good growth if your in an area with average or above average rains. You can add more than the recomended rate but be carefull not to overdo it too much. Over a certain point and you end up with your whole planting bed turning into a jelly like mess after a rain. I suggest starting w/ 1.25 the rate on the label. You can always carry water when and if you can during dry times, but it's best to prepare the bed in a way that you will get good growth without bringing in the extra water. As far as getting water from a nearby stream or pond or such, the best way is a 12 V battery, a marine type bilge pump and some plastic hose / tube.