Community Garden Water & Irrigation Workbook
Use this workbook to document the water source, inspect the root zone, calibrate irrigation, record repairs and leave a usable backup plan. Do not check a box because you read about the task. Check it when you can show the evidence.
Revision: September 4, 2026 · Scope: General U.S. community-garden use. Verify local water quality, drought restrictions, rainwater/reuse rules, plumbing/backflow requirements and crop-specific recommendations.
1. Garden and plot record
Raised bed / in-ground / container 2. Water source and authority
| Question | Record |
|---|
| Primary source | ☐ Municipal ☐ Well ☐ Rain/cistern ☐ Surface ☐ Reclaimed ☐ Other: ______ |
| Who controls the source? | |
| Main shutoff location | |
| Current watering restrictions | |
| Backflow/cross-connection requirement | |
| Nonmunicipal testing requirement or record | |
| Unresolved safety question | |
Stop: Do not use unknown or restricted water on edible crops until the applicable water utility, health department, Extension source or other responsible authority has resolved the question.
3. Water-system map
Draw source, meter, spigot, shutoff, pressure regulator, filter, valves/zones, timers, hoses, drip/soaker lines, sprinkler locations, flush ends, drains and any accessible route crossings.
4. Root-zone profile
| Location | Soil/media | Mulch | Drainage | Typical moisture pattern |
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5. Crop watering priorities
| Crop/area | Stage | Why priority matters | Local Extension source |
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6. Method selection
☐ Hand watering ☐ Soaker hose ☐ Drip/microirrigation ☐ Overhead sprinkler ☐ Combination
Why this method fits the plot:
Known limitations or maintenance needs:
7. Flow check
Container volume: ______ gallons Collection time: ______ minutes
Flow rate = gallons collected ÷ minutes = ______ gallons/minute
Repeat at a busy garden time if pressure changes when several people water.
8. Root-zone calibration record
| Date | Starting moisture | Runtime | Wetting depth/width | Runoff/puddling/dry spots | Adjustment |
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Volume conversion: 1 inch of water over 1 square foot is about 0.623 gallons. Use the conversion for calibration, not as a universal watering prescription.
9. Weekly moisture and weather log
| Date | Rain since last check | Heat/wind note | Root-zone moisture | Water? | Reason |
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10. Watering log
| Date/time | Zone/bed | Method | Runtime/volume | Person | Notes |
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11. Irrigation inspection
☐ Shutoff accessible
☐ No unexplained leaks
☐ Filter clean
☐ Pressure regulator intact if used
☐ Emitters flowing
☐ Flush ends secure
☐ Hoses not kinked
☐ No spray onto pavement/path
☐ No trip hazards
☐ Timer/settings appropriate
☐ Backflow device/utility requirement current
12. Repair log
| Date | Problem | Immediate control | Repair | Person | Follow-up |
|---|
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13. Failure diagnosis
| Symptom | Soil moisture | System check | Likely category | Next action |
|---|
| Wilt | | | Dry / heat / waterlogged / disease / other | |
| Dry row/plant | | | Emitter / placement / root-zone / other | |
| Runoff | | | Rate / slope / crust / compaction / other | |
| Puddling | | | Drainage / leak / runtime / other | |
14. Short-absence plan
Priority crops/areas:
Exact operating instructions:
Who to call for a leak or failure:
15. Drought/restriction plan
| Trigger | Action | Owner |
|---|
| Local watering restriction | | |
| Well/output decline | | |
| High heat/wind | | |
| System failure | | |
| Water-cost spike | | |
16. Nonmunicipal water record
| Source | Test/authority | Date | Result | Next review | Report location |
|---|
| | | | | |
17. Water advisory action
Advisory type/date:
Official instruction for garden/food use:
How gardeners were notified:
Restart/clearance record:
18. End-of-season shutdown / winterization
☐ Shutoff procedure documented
☐ Timers removed/stored if appropriate
☐ Filters cleaned
☐ Lines flushed/drained if required
☐ Damaged hoses/emitters tagged
☐ Repairs scheduled
☐ Water-use record retained
☐ Next-season startup owner named
19. Capability check
☐ I can identify the water source and shutoff.
☐ I can check root-zone moisture before watering.
☐ I can calibrate runtime against actual wetting.
☐ I can recognize leaks, clogs, runoff and waterlogging.
☐ I can explain when a water-source question requires local verification.
☐ I can leave another gardener a usable absence plan.
20. Final operating note
What should the next gardener know about this plot's water system?
Prepared for New World Survival · Community Garden Definitive Guide · Reviewed September 4, 2026.