Harvest’s Over — Now It’s Time to Fix the Stuff That Broke

Alright, the season’s been long, the crops are (hopefully) looking good, and the tractors are finally getting a break. But before you kick back and switch to “off-season” mode, your irrigation system has one last thing to say:

“Hey... remember me?”

Yeah. That quiet little network of pipes, pumps, and sprinklers that’s been hustling? It’s time to show it some love.

Why Now? Because Post-Harvest = Prime Maintenance Time

From March to October (sometimes November), irrigation systems go hard. They don’t get days off. And by the time harvest wraps up, they’re kinda beat up — especially in orchards and vineyards where machines are shaking trees, sweeping rows, and just generally throwing elbows.

You’d be surprised how much damage can happen out there:

Driplines get sliced or go completely missing (like, gone without a trace ).
Sprinklers get knocked over or disconnected.
Tubing cracks, connections loosen, valves wear out.
And let's not even talk about what the riser fittings look like post-harvest...

Step One: Run It & Check Everything

Turn your system on and really look. Don’t just glance and assume it’s working because water is coming out.

Look for:

Leaks & sprays where they shouldn’t be.
Missing emitters or tubing that looks like it lost a fight.
Micro-sprinklers that are leaning like they’re done with life.
Flush valves & Air vents that are cracked, clogged, or just straight-up busted.

Fixing this stuff now sets you up to deliver post-harvest nutrition evenly across your field. That’s money well spent for next year’s success.

Step Two: Map the Pressure

Once the physical damage is fixed, it’s time to play irrigation detective. Pressure mapping is your secret weapon.

Walk the fields and take pressure readings. Keep an eye out for:

Low pressure = could be a clog, a leak, pump issues, or too many valves open.
High pressure = might mean closed valves or plugged emitters.

Pressure tells a story. Low pressure with high flow usually means leaks. High pressure with low flow means there’s a blockage. Knowing this stuff helps you pinpoint what needs a deeper fix — and saves a ton of guesswork later.

Step Three: Inspect Your Filter Station

Filters are the unsung heroes of your system. They’ve been catching gunk all season, and now they need a little refresh.

Here’s the checklist:

Check your filter media levels — most tanks have a fill line, so top it up if it’s low.
Check media quality too. Worn media = bad filtration.
After topping off or changing media, run the system and check:
- Air vents working?
- No new leaks?
- Controller and solenoids doing their thing?
- Hose and connections looking solid?

Also, log your flow rate and PSI while it’s running. This helps you track system health over time (and makes future troubleshooting way easier).

Step Four: Treat Your Water

Even if everything looks good now, chemical maintenance is like giving your system a vitamin boost.

Water can cause all sorts of issues — mineral buildup, algae, biofilm — and even the cleanest-looking systems can start plugging up. A good seasonal treatment clears out the gunk and keeps everything flowing smoothly.

Pro tip: test your water before treating. That way, you’re not just dumping chemicals and hoping for the best. Precision > guesswork, every time.

Off-Season is Prep Season

Sure, it’s tempting to park the truck and take a break. But a little post-harvest maintenance can make a huge difference when irrigation season rolls back around.

Fix the damage 🛠️
Map the pressure 📈
Clean the filters 🧽
Treat the water 💊