Water & Irrigation Calculator

Tomatoes typically need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, which translates to roughly 0.6 gallons per square foot per week. During hot weather or when fruiting, they may need closer to 2 inches. Deep, consistent watering is better than frequent light watering, as it encourages deeper root growth and healthier plants.

A beef cow drinks about 10-12 gallons of water per day on average, while a lactating dairy cow can drink 20-30+ gallons per day. Water intake increases significantly in hot weather, sometimes doubling. Always ensure livestock have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

The ideal tank size depends on your water usage and local rainfall patterns. A good rule of thumb is to store at least one month of harvested water. For a 2,000 sq ft roof in an area with 40 inches of annual rainfall, you could harvest about 3,500 gallons per month. A 2,500-5,000 gallon tank would provide a solid buffer for dry spells.

Residential wells typically produce 3-5 gallons per minute (GPM), while agricultural wells can range from 5-25+ GPM depending on the aquifer. A 5 GPM well running 8 hours a day produces 2,400 gallons, which is sufficient for a small homestead but may fall short for larger operations with significant irrigation needs.

Multiply your growing area (in square feet) by the weekly water requirement (in inches) and then by 0.623 to convert to gallons per week. For example, a 1,000 sq ft tomato plot needing 1.5 inches per week requires 1,000 x 1.5 x 0.623 = 935 gallons per week. Adjust for your irrigation method efficiency: drip irrigation is about 90% efficient, while sprinklers are only 50-70% efficient.

Yes, drip irrigation is significantly more efficient. Drip systems deliver water directly to plant roots with 90-95% efficiency, meaning almost all water reaches the plants. Sprinkler systems are typically 50-70% efficient due to evaporation, wind drift, and runoff. Switching from sprinklers to drip can reduce water usage by 30-50% while often improving plant health.