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In Today’s episode, we will look into complete step by step installation of drip irrigation system for your home or container gardening and some very useful tips and tricks to apply during installation.
With summer in full swing, maintaining a vibrant garden is every
gardener’s main concern. A good drip irrigation system can be key to
maintaining a beautiful yard, while conserving water and maintaining lower
costs.
Some people consider drip irrigation as the concept of a Lazy Gardener. It’s
partly true! If you are young energetic and have time to spare an hour to water
your plants, this is not for you! This is for people who have a larger garden
or for those who do not have time or for elderly people, drip irrigation system
is certainly a boon.
Having said that, let’s do it! Remember you can easily do it yourself (DIY) and its really simple and you don’t have hire some professional for this job. I have done everything myself for the entire garden.
Well, We will Split this topic into 3 sections:
- Components of a Simple Drip Irrigation System.
- Planning the Installation.
- Actual Procedure.
Please watch it till the end. We will show you some important tips and tricks like how to adjust water flow to each and every plant because every plants has its own watering requirement.
First Step is knowing the COMPONENTS of a drip irrigation system.
- MAIN SUPPLY PIPE: Usually 16 mm in calibre.
- FEEDER LINE PIPE: Usually 4 mm in calibre.
- DRIP EMITTERS
- EMITTER STAKES
- PIN CONNECTORS – 4mm
- T – Connectors
- Straight Connectors
- Straight Connectors with Taps
- Elbow Connectors
- Dummy Pieces
- End Caps
- S hole puncher
- Water Tap Connector
- Teflon Tape.
- Optionally Water flow Controllers or Timers if you have the budget.
Next Step is Planning. This is nothing complicated but not
to be ignored.
Firstly count the number of containers you have in total. Then Arrange the
containers in one or multiple rows. Sort out the plants like water loving
plants that are exposed to maximum sun and shade loving plants, succulents and
others and keep them separate or arrange accordingly. You can exclude these
plants which require once or twice a week watering or connect a separate line
for these using a connector with valve or tap to close the supply and open only
once or twice a week. If this is not
possible, Do not worry, I will show you how to adjust the amount of water
flowing into each plant during the installation process. So, please watch it
till the end for many useful tips.
Well, You can even sketch this plan out on a piece of paper which might be
helpful during installation procedure.
Next step is approximately measuring the requirements to order either a 50 plant kit, 100 plant kit or 200 plant kit depending on your garden size. This one is a 150 plant kit with 30 metres of main supply pipe, 60 meter of feeder line and all these other components. The link to this item is given in video description below. You can check that if you are interested.
Well, The final step is how to install drip irrigation system for your home or terrace garden.
First Step is to Start with the Main Supply line, Just start
laying this pipe in between two rows or behind the containers. If you have two
rows, its wise to put this in between the rows. You will know the advantage of
this as we proceed further.
At corners or turnings, you can use elbow connectors to prevent kinks and
blockage. If you want to limit or cut off supply to a portion of your garden,
use the straight connector with tap. This is particularly useful if you do not
have sufficient water pressure in your garden, especially in your terrace
garden. In my case, I want one main supply to go to these hanging pots, so I
will use a T connector or splitter to take one line to the top and also I will
install straight connectors beyond this to close the valve and divert the flow
exclusively to the hanging containers. Also try to use straight connectors with
taps at multiple places, so that you can selectively water different portions
of your garden.
If you have some larger containers or plants not accessible to this main supply
line, then you can use these self watering drip needles. These fit into any
standard sized bottles like pepsi or sprite bottles. Cut the top of the bottle
and fill water and adjust the drip flow rate or drops per minute by rotating
the knob. For larger plants you use large sized bottles and vice versa.
You should use Teflon tape or glue if you want to prevent leaks from these joints.
Then, the Next step is to punch holes in the main supply pipe to connect feeder lines. You can punch one hole at diagonally opposite sides of the main supply pipe. This is to ensure proper distribution of pressure or flow of water. This is the reason, I said laying the main pipe in between the rows.
Insert the 4mm pin connectors to one end and then at the container end, first insert this stake to anchor the emitters to the soil. Then connect the drip emitters. This is the outlet and this is the inlet of a drip emitter. Repeat these connections for every container in your garden. To control the drip flow rate or the drops per minute, you need to adjust the water flow knob of each drip emitter.
Then make sure you close the end of the main supply pipe using the end caps. You just have to insert the end cap and then bend the pipe and loop it like this to block the pipe.
Then finally connect the main supply pipe to the water source. You can even use automatic timers and controller devices if you have the budget.
HAPPY GARDENING!
