DIY Container Irrigation

Container irrigation keeps soil moist with less work.

Keeping the soil moist in plant containers is more challenging that keeping ground soil moist. Many container plants require daily watering just to survive. This constant watering schedule is problematic when you leave home for vacation or just get busy and forget to water. Setting up an irrigation system for container plants keeps them healthy and thriving. In addition, using a timer automates the watering process, thus alleviating your workload.

Things You'll Need

• Water timer
• Drip irrigation manifold
• Drip irrigation filter
• 1/2-inch diameter drip line hose
• Support clamps
• Nails
• Hammer
• Wood screws, optional
• Screwdriver, optional
• Drill, optional
• 1/4-inch drill bit, optional
• Masonry screws, optional
• Drip line punch tool
• Drip line insert plug
• 1/4-inch diameter soaker drip line
• Hand pruners

Instructions

1. Assemble the faucet connection portion by screwing a water timer into the top of the drip irrigation manifold at the location of the round threaded couplers. Then screw a drip irrigation filter onto the bottom of the manifold at the lower round coupler to prevent debris from clogging the system.

2. Secure the assembly to an outdoor water faucet by placing the round connector on the back of the timer up to the faucet and turning the coupler until it is tight.

3. Insert a 1/2-inch diameter drip line hose to the bottom of the main assembly by pushing it firmly into the bottom hole as far as possible.

4. Stretch the hose up to the container garden and lay it on top of the containers.

5. Install support clamps approximately 3 to 4 inches above each container using screws and a screw driver. If the surrounding surface is wood, use nails or wood screws. If it is masonry or brick, predrill holes with a drill and 1/4-inch bit and then secure the clamps with masonry screws.

6. Walk to the location of each container, insert the main hose into a drip line punch tool and squeeze the handles to create a hole in the hose.

7. Insert a drip line insert plug into one end of 1/4-inch diameter soaker drip line tubing by pushing it in firmly with your fingers. You can also purchase a tool that performs the process for you.

8. Insert the tip of the plug into the hole you punched in the main hose and then wrap the 1/4-inch tubing around the top of the plant container.

9. Install at least one 1/4-inch vertical soaker drip line section above each plant container and then turn on the water faucet to test. When you are sure it works, set the timer according to the manufacturer’s instructions so the system runs itself.

Tips & Warnings

• If desired, you can install an automatic fertilizer onto the system as well.

• When needed, cut the tubing using hand pruners.

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens; C. Wilson et. al; November 2005
• YouTube: Container Gardening: Drip Irrigation