How to Install Garden Drip Irrigation
with
Marie Iannotti
Installing drip irrigation in your garden is easier than you think. Drip irrigation will actually save you water, money, and time. Here are the steps for getting a garden irrigation system up and running in no time.
Transcript: How to Install Garden Drip Irrigation
Hi. I’m Marie Iannotti, your Guide to gardening at About.com, and today I’m going to be installing drip irrigation in the garden bed behind me.Benefits of Garden Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation can use up to 80% less water than traditional watering methods. So you’ll save not just water, but money and time to do something a lot more fun in your garden.I know it looks complicated, but most companies make starter kits and the pieces basically snap together, like a child’s building set.
Garden Drip Irrigation Supplies
The basic pieces include:- a 1/2 inch hose that will run the length of your garden
- a smaller, 1/4 inch hose that will go from the main line to each plant
- hose couplers, to snap the two hose pieces together
- drip emitters, which go at the base of the plants and drip water right to the roots
- a plastic punch, for making all the holes for connections
- goof plugs, because mistakes will happen
- a scissor, to cut the hose to length
- a connector to join the drip hose to your water source
- a hose end sealer, to close off the far end of the drip hose
Connect the Main Garden Irrigation Hose
The first step is to connect the main hose to your water source, either the faucet or to a hose, if the faucet is not nearby. The connector is sized for the ½" hose, but they simply screw together, just like you’ve always done with any garden hose.Arrange the House Along the Garden
Now go ahead and lay the main hose through the length of your garden. Then turn on the water, flush the hose and make sure everything is working right.Seal the Hose
If everything is working right, we can go ahead and seal off the far end of the hose. I’m using a coupler for this. Just poke the hose through one end and bring it back through the other. I think we all know how well a kink in the hose can stop the flow of water.Measure the Drip Irrigation Holes
OK, let’s go ahead and get started. The first thing we do is to measure the distance from the main hose to the plant we’re targeting and cut an appropriate length of 1/4" hose.Then use the plastic punch to poke a hole into the ½" hose, for the connection. Insert a coupler into the ½" hose, then attach the 1/4" hose to the coupler.
Install the Drip Emitters
At the other end of the section of 1/4" hose, attach the drip emitter by pushing or wiggling it on. Then place the emitter at the base of the plant, by the roots. Because this is a new hose and kind of unwieldy, I’m going to use a landscape staple to hold it down. You can also just weight it with some mulch.Continue like that, down the row, bringing the drip emitters to each plant. Once you have all of your lines in place, turn on the system. Test it and make adjustments. This may be where your goof plugs will come in handy.
Program the Garden Irrigation Timer
The final step is to program the timer. Most timers program like alarm clocks. Set the time you want it to go on and your system is off and running.You’re going to find all kinds of gizmos and gadgets to add on to your system, but for now, you’re good to go. To learn more, join us on the Web at About.com Home and Garden.