The flexible pipe can be laid down in any number of configurations and can be custom designed and fit to your specific needs. Drip irrigation is usable with all different types of soil - clay, sand, silt or loam. Because of the wide variety of terrains that can host irrigation lines, some types of dripperline is pressure compensated, which allows for a consistent flow rate, even going uphill, or on very long lines of plants.
The non-pressure compensating drip tubing is fine for installations that are flat or have shorter runs. Typically, the holes, or emitters, are spaced every 6, 12, or 18 inches. Blank tubing is also available to help convey water from one line to another.
Fittings - Tees, ells, and couplings will help you to install the drip line exactly where you want it. Always double check that you are getting fittings that are the same size as the line you use. Clamps help to keep fittings in place in case of high water pressure. Staples are used to hold the tubing in place and are easy to install. Pressure regulators - some people have the wonderful problem of having high water pressure coming into their yards.
If your water pressure exceeds 50 psi, you will want to have a pressure regulator on your lines. A pressure regulator should be installed just after the water source, I.
Filters - a filter on your main line will keep larger pieces of dirt and other contaminants from moving through your tubing and causing blockages. Flush valves - debris, dirt, and algae can accumulate in the lines over time and should be flushed out of the lines at least once a year.
These small valves are applied at the end of the line and can be opened to let everything pass. Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close.
Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Lawn Care. How does drip irrigation work? Cite This! Try Our Sudoku Puzzles! More Awesome Stuff. Drip Tubing and Emitters Drip tubing is a polyethylene tube with emitters placed along the plants.
The emitters release the water from the drip tubing. Drip tubing and emitters come in various types and diameters depending on your needs. The length of a single drip tube should not exceed feet from the point where water enters the tube. You will need to stake the tubing to keep it from moving. This helps to prevent clogging and rodent damage. Emitter Spacing and Design Emitters can be spaced evenly for row crops, and this design is known as an emitter hose. Emitters can also be spaced intermittently for plants spaced further apart, such as trees, shrubs and perennials.
With an emitter hose, the emitters will generally be spaced about 18 inches apart. When watering trees and shrubs, there should generally be two emitters per plant. The end cap is placed at the end of the drip tubing to prevent water running out the end. Basic Operation and Maintenance Drip irrigation can be set to run automatically, like sprinklers, or controlled manually. Manual operation allows you to take advantage of rainfall before applying unnecessary water.
For more information on proper watering, see Water Wisely. Because small amounts of water are applied slowly, drip irrigation is designed to run daily unless it rains. Water is applied either once or twice a day. Early morning is the best time to water because there will be less evaporation. Watering in the evening increases plant disease.
Check filters and emitters on a regular basis to ensure they are functioning properly and not clogged. To prevent winter damage, take up the drip irrigation system at the end of each gardening season.
The cost of a drip irrigation system will vary depending on the size of the area to be irrigated and the type of emitters and tubing used. However, regardless of the size of the area being irrigated there is an initial upfront cost for standard items such as the valve, pressure regulator, and backflow preventer.
Soaker Hose. Soaker hose is another irrigation alternative. A soaker hose requires less equipment and is easier and cheaper to install than drip irrigation. A soaker hose is a porous hose that can be connected to an outside faucet, garden hose, or rain barrel and laid out along the base of the plants.
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