Using Well Water for Garden & Irrigation

Benefits of Well Water for Gardens

No Chlorine

• City water contains chlorine
• Chlorine can harm soil microbes
• Well water is naturally chlorine-free
• Better for organic gardening

Free Water

• No water bill for irrigation
• Just electricity to run pump
• Significant savings in summer

Cooler Temperature

• Well water is typically 55-65°F
• Good for plants in hot weather
• Reduces thermal stress

Minerals

• Contains calcium, magnesium
• Can benefit plant growth
• Natural fertilizer in moderation

Concerns to Address

Iron

• May stain concrete, siding, fencing
• Orange residue on walkways
• Use drip irrigation to minimize spray
• Won't harm plants

Hardness

• Very hard water = mineral buildup
• Can clog drip emitters
• White deposits on leaves
• Most plants tolerate fine

High Sodium/Salts

• Can damage salt-sensitive plants
• Common in desert areas
• Test TDS if concerned
• May need to leach soil periodically

pH

• Extreme pH affects nutrient uptake
• Most wells: pH 6.5-8.5 (fine for gardens)
• Test if plants struggle

Bacteria

• Generally not a concern for irrigation
• Don't use contaminated water on food crops
• Test annually if growing edibles

Sizing Your System

Know Your Well Yield

• How many GPM does your well produce?
• This limits irrigation capacity
• Don't exceed yield

Sprinkler System Demand

Calculating Zones

• Add up GPM for all heads in zone
• Don't exceed 75% of well yield
• Leave capacity for household use

Example

• Well yield: 10 GPM
• Available for irrigation: 7.5 GPM
• Zone 1: 5 spray heads × 1.5 GPM = 7.5 GPM ✓
• Run zones sequentially, not simultaneously

Low Yield Solutions

• Drip irrigation (uses less GPM)
• Storage tank (fill slowly, use fast)
• Water at night (well recovers during day)
• Smaller zones

Efficient Irrigation Tips

Timing

• Water early morning (less evaporation)
• Avoid midday watering
• Let well recover between zones

Don't Overtax Your Well

• Allow recovery time
• Schedule irrigation during low household use
• Monitor for air sputtering (well running low)

Protect Equipment

• Install filter if sand present
• Use pressure regulator for drip systems
• Flush drip lines periodically

Consider a Dedicated Pump

• For large irrigation systems
• Separate from house pump
• Sized specifically for irrigation demand

For agricultural applications, we install high-capacity Franklin Electric and Grundfos submersible pumps from 7.5 to 25+ HP. Grundfos SQFlex solar pumps are available for off-grid ranch locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is well water good for garden plants?

Yes—no chlorine, contains minerals. Most plants thrive on well water. Test if you have specific concerns.

How much GPM do I need for irrigation?

Depends on system size. Calculate total heads × GPM per head. Don't exceed 75% of well yield per zone.

Will well water stain my patio?

High iron water can leave orange stains. Use drip instead of spray, or treat water if iron is high.

Can I use well water on vegetables?

Yes, if water is safe (no bacteria, nitrates under 10 ppm). Test annually for food safety.

What if I run my well dry from irrigation?

Let it recover. Install low-water cutoff. Use storage tank for buffer. Schedule irrigation to match recovery.