Saffron irrigation is vital in saffron farm management and has a high effect on farm efficiency. We invest in the best soil, bulbs, and tools, so we have expected the best, but this isn’t enough. We should have professional management on our farm, and one example of this management is saffron irrigation.
The quality of Saffron irrigation determines the rate of saffron production. Enough water at the right time can increase saffron bulb propagation and ultimately increase saffron production.
When we used a traditional water system, our efficiency was significantly lower than we used a modern water system. We have a fantastic result in this case;
Using a modern water system + appropriate Saffron irrigation = increases by 40% in our productivity.
Saffron Irrigation in Summer
You have to remember one main rule, don’t water the land in summer. All of us know Saffron irrigation in summer can increase the humidity of saffron bulbs, but in reality, I am talking about fungi and ticks that can harm them. So confident me and don’t water in summer.
High temperature in summer + water = saffron bulbs infectious
Join us in The Saffron planting Course for a fascinating exploration into the monumentally important and mysterious world of saffron!
Irrigation Saffron at Home Scale
Growing saffron indoors, in the garden, in pots, and in containers is slightly different from growing saffron on the farm. We have two growing seasons for saffron, fall, and winter. The best strategy is one water per month and on a rainy month, no water.
Saffron isn’t like the other plants and doesn’t need much water. Just do this regime and feel comfortable. Also, you can use some case organic fertilizer for enriching your soil and saffron. Our recommendation is to compost fruit and vegetable waste and use them in your farming.
Saffron Irrigation at Farm Scale
Saffron irrigation on the farm has specific sensitivities that we should consider. The former rule is credible here, too, and we should ignore summer water. Of course, we may have summer rain, which is out of our reach, but irrigation is in our sight, and we can ignore it.
Saffron irrigation program
First Irrigation
The first irrigation is in early fall and should be deep and enough. This water helps wake up the saffron bulbs and helps to increase saffron production. The first irrigation must be done before starting rain in the fall.
If this water does before fall, we will have the growing of saffron leaves, so harvesting saffron would be so hard. Thus do this water on time and in the first decade of October. Water at the best time can help increase saffron field production and decrease the harvesting of saffron hardness.
traditional saffron irrigation method
Second Irrigation
The first water after harvesting saffron flowers is ZAJ water. This irrigation does in the last of the saffron harvesting process and binding with fertilizing work. The exact time of this water back to weather conditions, but if we want to say an estimated time, we can say 20 November.
Harvesting time in hot areas is in the late fall, and harvest time in the cool regions is in the falling median. Second irrigation must be done exactly after harvesting saffron, and the volume of this water is one-third of the first irrigation.
With this method of planting saffron, you can grow saffron with the highest productivity anywhere in the world.
Third and Fourth Irrigation
The third saffron irrigation does in winter and the volume of water is back to the amount of winter rainfall, if you have good rainy and snowy winter doesn’t need this irrigation. This water helps to propagate saffron bulbs and can increase the future product of the farm. The middle of January is a good time for this water.
Fourth saffron irrigation is like the third, and it’s not necessary. If you haven’t good rain in winter, you can do this water. Don’t forget, our target is a decrease in water consumption and increased productivity.
Essential Points of Saffron Irrigation
- Notice to weather temperature and do saffron irrigation at a low average temperature. (about 12 centigrade)
- Don’t water saffron in summer.
- There is nothing better than rain. Rain is the best saffron irrigation method.
- Use modern water systems for saffron irrigation and decrease water wasting.
- When you do saffron planting in summer, your saffron doesn’t need any water. Let it be dry and water it in early fall.
Saffron irrigation program
| First irrigation | heavy and deep, early in fall and before the first rain |
| Second irrigation | semi-heavy, after harvesting saffron, and comes with fertilizer composition |
| Third irrigation | semi-heavy, middle of winter |
| Fourth irrigation | light, middle of spring |
