How to Make a Drip System

Drip irrigation (also called trickle or micro irrigation or even micro watering) works by slow watering, directly to the top soil. Drip irrigation's high effectiveness results from two factors: water soaks into the dirt before it can disperse or run off, and water is applied right at the plant's roots rather than sprayed all over. While drip systems are straightforward and forgiving of errors in layout and installation, a few procedures can make a better watering system.

Things You'll Need

• Timer (optional)
• Drip kit (usually contains stakes, a variety of emitters, spray jets, back flow valve, ½ Polyethylene tubing, ¼ vinyl tubing, ¼ couplings and goof plugs)
• Backflow valve (used to ensure that water does not go back into the main waterline)
• Pressure regulator (optional unless the ground has a high degree of height variation)
• Water filter
• Tubing adapter
• Pruning shears or wire cutters

Instructions

1. Sketch the areas that you want to water. Start with your water source and end at the furthest point you wish to include in your system. Measure the distance and each row that you need to water and add 20 percent to cover any extra you may need.

2. Determining which type of top soil you have in a given area to better understand how many emitters are needed. A general rule for sandy (coarse) soil is that it will fall apart. Loam (medium) soil will hold collectively but easily come apart. Clay soil will form together without breaking.

3. Assemble the manifold in the following order: timer (optional), then a backflow valve. However, the backflow valve can be installed first if no timer is used. Then install a pressure regulator, water filter and a tubing adapter. Fasten them all by hand until tight.

4. Position the tubing in the preferred location as close as achievable to the plants to be watered. Curve the tubing around foliage and obstacles as required. Use the included stakes and push them in the ground every two feet to hold the tubing. Cut the end of the tubing and use a compression, figure eight or push-in style cap.

5. Punch 1 or 2 holes at each plant and plug in the emitters.

6. Turn on the water supply and observe for leaks or breaks in the system.

Tips & Warnings

• Extending you system is as easy as punching a hole where you need to add, pushing in the required ¼ coupling and then connecting the tubing.

References

• Drip Depot
• Colorado State University Extension