Probably not a problem in your area, Tom, but you have to watch irrigation ditch water as a possible source of highly contaminated runoff from your chemically managed neighbors. I read a study a while back that California farmers who were trash pumping 'lost water' on their off days (water that escaped from other farms and was fair game for other growers downstream to use even if it wasnt' their water day) were getting up to 3x as much insecticide as the maximum recommended dosages. Of course, since these insecticides were not 'applied,' it's presence didn't affect subsequent applications of more insecticides on the farm.
-Allan PS But, boy, do I wish that we had an irrigation system here on the west coast. Praise to the 19th cent Mormons, eh? >The place I just moved to have an incredible amount of iron in the >water (its from the well, not rusty pipes). Is there any problem >watering vegatables with this? I also have access to an irrigation >ditch which I believe has less iron content - that is used for the >fruit trees, but is not something I'd normally use for the raised >beds. Can an excess of iron influence crop growth or taste? >Thanks in advance, >Tom
