Transcript Slide 1
DO IT YOURSELF DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
WHY CONSIDER?
No great skill needed to install No trenching required No electrical connections necessary No precise pipe connections to make Inexpensive to install
DRIP IRRIGATION ADVANTAGES
Reduces loss through evaporation Eliminates runoff Does not spray leaves, petals, trunks thus reducing fungus potential Does not waste water irrigating surrounding areas (discourages weeds)
ADVANTAGES
Reduces overall time to water a given area Ensures consistent moisture to individual plants Works especially well on difficult hillsides Can be used for small irrigation additions
MINOR PROBLEMS
Occasional minor adjustments do to: Dogs chewing Children kicking Spider web clogging
PLANNING Planning is essential
Draw a design to include all your plantings under consideration Determine the size and requirement of each circuit/zone About 200’ max per circuit
Matches your needs to your purchases
PLANNING
Think “HYDROZONES” Think drip and/or spray systems Sprayer systems for closely spaced systems Drip systems for widely spaced plantings Regardless, the system selected should cover 50% of the root zone Think about the soil type in your garden area
TOOLS & OTHER BASIC MATERIALS NEEDED Tools…cutters and punch Materials : Garden hose?
Staking device
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
Filter Timing device Fertilizer injector …needs anti-siphon valve All sorts of interesting toys
TUBING & FITTINGS
½” main tubing 2 wall thicknesses .052 and .060 match fittings to wall thickness 3/8” main tubing
TUBING AND FITTINGS
FITTINGS (i.e. connectors)
Used to connect pieces of tubing Fittings are color coded: Red fittings for 3/8” tubing Blue and green for 1/2” tubing Three insert types Compression Barbed locking
EMITTERS & SPRAYERS
Emitters let the water drip onto the plant roots Generally come in three sizes ½ gallon per hour 1 gallon per hour 2 gallons per hour Have barbed ends to fit into micro tubing Color coded…color end into tubing Also sprayers in ¼, 1/2, ¾ and full turn Also available as a pre-constructed line with emitters attached
SOME ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Punches Goof Plugs Stakes
Vegetables close spacing Vegetables -widely spaced Flower Beds Ground Covers Shrubs 2-3 ft tall Shrubs and Trees 3-5 ft tall Shrubs and Trees 5-10ft tall Shrubs and Trees 10-20 ft tall Trees Over 20 ft tall Output rate ½-1 GHP 1-2 GPH 1 GPH 1 GPH 1 GPH 1 GPH 2 GPH 2 GPH 2 GPH Number of emitters Placement 1 Every 12” 1 1 1 1-2 At base of plant At base of plant At base of each plant At plant base 12” opposite sides 2 2-3 2 feet from trunk 3 feet apart at drip line 3-4 6 or more 4 feet apart at drip line
INSTALLATION
Each main line (1/2”…large diameters) diameter has a maximum length…200’ Each micro line (1/4”) has a maximum number of emitters If possible try to connect emitters directly to the larger drip tubing lines.
MAXIMUM TUBING LENGHTS
DRIP TUBING Polyethylene Tubing Heavy weight vinyl Diameter ½” 3/8” ¼” ¼” Flow rate 320 GPH 100 GPH 15 GPH 10 GPH Maximum Length 200 ft 100 ft 25 ft 20 ft
HELPFUL TIPS
Allow ½” poly to sit in the sun Buy a good punch Measure twice …cut once
Maximum Number of Emitters
To determine the maximum number of emitters on each line: For each ½” line add up the water volume of the emitters…maximum volume of emitters is 320 GPH For each ¼” micro line maximum volume is 15 GPH
FINDING A SUPPLY SOURCE
Local
Lowe’s and Home Depot
Internet sources
The Drip Store www.dripirrigation.com
Sprinkler Warehouse www.sprinklerwarehouse.com
Drip Works USA www.dripworksusa.com
QUESTIONS ?
WATER INFORMATION
A typical area of 20’X40’ (800 sq. ft.) requires about 4000 gallons of water per month Garden hoses deliver: Dia. Hose Flow gal/hr Hrs of watering 1/2 “ 300 13hrs/mo 5/8” 500 8hrs/mo 3/4” 600 6.5hrs/mo