October
2006
Drip Irrigation Systems
Drip Irrigation systems are primarily used to water non-grass landscaping, such as flower gardens, ground cover plants, trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens.
You can build your drip irrigation system onto your existing sprinkler system. When I design my system, I always plan on one extra valve on one of the valve manifolds to power the drip system. The main component that you will want to add when going out from your valve to the drip system line is a some type of pressure reducing valve to bring the water pressure down to around 25 psi. The parts of the drip system generally do not need, and probably will not tolerate a higher pressure, and unless your drip system is really, really large you will not need that much volume of water.
Usually you can get a kit, or at least some parts that go together to make the pressure reducer and a special filter. The drip system line and parts have smaller openings than most regular lawn sprinkler parts, and it is easier to clog. The filter will clean out extra particles that might clog the small lines, and you will want to find a filter that is easily removed to clean out and replace. It’s usually a mesh screen.
Depending on the brand of parts, there is a multitude of drip system parts and accessories. I usually run a 1/2″ poly pipe line around the main places where I will be using the drip system and keep it fairly shallow, and then run 1/4″ microtube out from the main 1/2″ line to wherever I want to water something. From the 1/4″ microtube you will be able to find all kinds of mini spray jets, drippers, bubblers and misters to name a few, but there are many. They are all pretty cheap but like most jobs with sprinkler systems, it adds up fast!
Once you get your valve, pressure reducer and filter, and the main 1/2″ line ran around the places you generally will be using the system, it is easy to go back and punch in the small 1/4″ line for the individual drippers and other parts as you go and as you add new plants.
I always set up the main 1/2″ line first and then add the 1/4″ lines to the plants when I can get to it, but once you have everything watering off of your drip irrigation system and on the timer, it’s a pretty nice feeling and very convenient.