Case Study: Water Wagon

Bergman Nurseries in Quincy, Ill., had trouble getting water at one of its farms. The short-term solution was a two-person water wagon. Travis Friye, who helps run the nursery with his father and brothers, took some inspiration from a water wagon he saw at Dwight Hughes Nursery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Armed with an 1,100-gallon water tank, the water wagon is pulled by a tractor with a creeper gear. The tank sets on a trailer with flotation tires.

The tank is equipped with spray bars made of 1½-inch PVC. The bars extend a few inches past the tractor tires. Small holes are drilled into the bars about 6 inches apart.

The wagon uses a PTO pump to pressurize the PVC pipe. An in-line filter helps to reduce clogging.

The tractor drives 5 mph and makes two passes, resulting in 6-8 inches of water penetration for shade and evergreen trees. Two workers can apply 7,000 gallons per day with this system.

Crews fill up the wagon on site at a cistern and take 800 gallons at a time to the field, Friye said.

"They pass over the plants about three times to get a good soaking," he said. "We've used it a lot this summer and losses have been less than 5 percent because of lack of water. It's made a huge difference in the years we've been using it."

It's a great alternative when putting plants on drip irrigation is not economically feasible, he said.

The water wagon also works well for plants that are ready for digging.

The nursery also uses Bio-Plex, a water-holding polymer gel, as another water conservation measure.

For more: Bergman Nurseries, (217) 222-1424; www.bergmannurseries.com.