(Music: RAIN, Lennon-McCartney) (info./disclaimers [0]) (glossary [0]) (index [0]) (gardening guide [0])

When the rainbird comes on, they run and hide their heads
And leave the garden beds
When the rainbird comes on
When the rainbird comes on

In the summer, about an inch of water a week
Keeps most vegetables at their peak
Since the rain's gone
Since the rain's gone

Rainbird
You're mighty fine
Rainbird
You keep plants from dying

People tell me that for watering efficiency
Driptape surpasses you greatly
But it's plastic
And it wears out

Rainbird
I don't mind
Rainbird
You're doing fine

When I use you, I water overnight
Not when the sun's real bright
I hand-water seeds
And plants with special needs

Heads they hide and run they on (Rainbird)
Comes the Rainbird when and leave (Rainbird) (etc., and fade)

Comments: This atypically shallow treatment of a complex subject does manage to justify the Beetless' continuing use of an overhead impact sprinkler (brand name Rainbird), whose advantages also include easier irrigation of seedbeds, volunteers, cover crops, and weeds; "instant-on" frost protection; and midday showers for the gardeners. In the Pacific Northwest low summertime rainfall necessitates regular irrigation. Overnight watering conserves water, though use of driptape (drip irrigation) would conserve even more.

 
Excerpted from The Beetless' Gardening Book: An Organic Gardening Songbook/Guidebook, copyright 1997 by Chris Roth (info./disclaimers [0]) (glossary [0]) (index [0]) (gardening guide [0])