Basic Drip Irrigation

Hello and welcome to the Basic Drip Irrigation post. If you came from my video on YouTube, Welcome! If you found me any other way, Welcome as well!

Let’s get right to it.

Shopping List:

Basic Process:

  • Connect Hose End Splitter Spigot
  • Connect Orbit Timer
  • Connect Pieces from Main kit: Backflow preventer, pressure regular and connector to switch over to main 1/2 inch water line.
  • Use tephlon tape on connection points and wind clockwise so it doesnt come off as you are adding pieces.
  • Attach main 1/2 inch line and start combining connector pieces to put together a path to cover all your beds, containers or in ground areas.
  • Use Deluxe hole punch to connect 1/4 inch lines to main line and then off to sprayers and / or drip line with built in drippers.
  • Turn on water to clean out 1/2 main line of dust and debris.
  • Make sure all your areas are covered.
  • Use figure 8 piece to cap off your main line.
  • Set your timer and run it to test that there are no leaks.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Draw out a diagram of your garden to know how many connections you will need for your 1/2 inch main line. Map out the tees, elbows and extenders. Check the pieces in the kit and buy necessary pieces before going home to install.
  • This is mainly for the line without the holes. The line with the built in drippers is thinner and easier to get them connected. I use the lighter to help soften the end of the 1/4 inch line to help get the barb connectors in. You can also have some warm water, in a container, to get the same result. You can also leave the line in the sun to make it more pliable.
  • Lay out your 1/2 inch main line in the sun to help mold it around the areas that you need.
  • Don’t be afraid to cut that 1/2 inch line or any other pieces but remember to measure twice and cut once.
  • Don’t take yourself too seriously.
  • Practice makes better.
  • Prepared to get wet! It happens.

I think that this is the very basics to get you started. If you have any questions and /or constructive criticism, please comment. I will try to keep up with the comments and may even edit this post if there is something that is missing. I’m sure there is as I’m only human.

I hope that this post gets you thinking about taking on the task and you will learn something along the way. It would be amazing if you get going on the install and completing it.

This is not meant to be all inclusive of every situation and it will not fit everybody’s space but it is a starting point. You can start with a smaller main kit. I believe there is one for just container / patio garden that doesn’t include the 1/2 main line. That’s fine. Use it if it fits better.

You don’t have to even buy a kit and buy each piece individually but just be sure to grab all the same pieces, especially for the first few pieces connected to the main line. You can even add a filter to the main line but I never do and the systems run fine. It is all about customizing it for yourself.

If you are a visual learner and would like to see a video overview of this, check out the accompanying YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/J1rVbpJ8LuA

I hope to continue putting out content on YouTube and may keep adding blogs to go with those videos. I like providing both mediums. Different people learn different ways.

Peace,

Luis

 

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