Practices like waiting until morning to change sets when rows water out at night can add significantly to the time, making it difficult to finish the field much before it is time to begin the next irrigation. A well-defined furrow is needed to carry the irrigation water. Planting on a good bed is the most desirable option for having a good water furrow. If a bed is not used, then it is necessary to cultivate with a furrow plow that moves enough soil from the middle of the rows so that a good furrow is created. Plowing out a furrow is probably not an option on rows less than 19 inches wide, so the border method may be a better option on those fields.
Some producers prefer to water alternate middles under certain conditions.
This is especially true on row spacing of 20 to 30 inches. Watering alternate middles can result in getting across the field quicker and not leaving the soil as saturated as it might be if every middle were irrigated. Then, if rain comes soon after the irrigation, it is possible for it to soak into the soil rather than run off or collect and stand in low spots. Producer preference and experience, along with the crop and field condition, will determine whether it is best to water every middle or alternate middles. Alternate middle irrigation will result in having to come back with the next irrigation somewhat sooner than when every middle is watered if the water doesn t soak across the dry rows.