Irrigation starts for 2014

People are expecting weather complete with snow and ice.  Temperatures are expected to be below zero.  Get ready for the Arctic Blast by heading to the store for water and batteries.  In the mean time, back in New Mexico, we are enjoying cold overnight temperatures, but our daytime temps are upwards of 60 degrees. 

Yesterday was our first irrigation day of the year.  The first time we put water on the fields to start the process of growing fruit and pecans for another season.  There are still many pecans on the tree and lots on the ground, but trees need water even in the winter.  Growing happens year round.

Here is how it works.  We have a variety of gates at the end of each field. They are attached to our ditch water, as part of our acequia.  (for more information head over to: New Mexico Acequia Association The field is made into a bowl with the end away from the gate just a bit lower. Water will flow downhill and fill the field with water.  The water is piped underground to the gate.  The valve (the red part on top) is opened to allow the water to spray out. 

There is no energy used in this irrigation method.  Water flows with the energy of gravity from up at the weir.  The Acequia Members take turns watering their fields, based on the number of hours they are permitted while we are on the books, usually between April and October.  During this time of the year, various members water their fields to grow winter cover crops or to keep their perennial plants alive. 

Each time we water our fields I think about the people who dug the first ditch or about those who planted the first pecan trees.  I read the words in the cement around the gates.  1992, John Bliss wrote the names of his kids in this gate.  Our farm has been actively farmed for many years, 1886 was the year the homestead was registered, but there were people in Las Palomas Canyon as far back as the 1100's!    Another year of growing in the canyon.  Another year of preparing to grow.  Irrigation 2014 has begun.