Easy Steps to Installing a Drip Irrigation System

7 Easy Steps toInstalling a Drip Irrigation System

In the 21st century, water is becoming more and more a scarce natural resource. Some water experts claim that in the not-so-distant future, wars will probably break out over issues related to water. Whether or not you live in a region where water is scarce today or not does matter; because, shifting weather patterns, desertification, and other factors can quickly transform regions that have abundant rain and water resources into dry, dusty, and water-scarce regions in a few years. As more people have started supplementing their food resources by growing their own organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains; it is also important for you to employ better ways to water your garden that helps conserve as much water as possible. Drip irrigation enables you to water your organic or conventional garden, saves a lot more water than conventional watering (garden hose or sprinklers) and you can automate it. This article shows you 7 easy steps to install a drip irrigation system.

Step #1:Measure the area that you plan to irrigate. If you planted your garden prior to installing the drip irrigation system, measure the length of each row and the distance from the main water faucet to which you will connect the main irrigation line. If you are installing the drip irrigation system before planting, you need to estimate how long you will make each row.

Step #2:Sketch a diagram of the area measured, including all rows and the length of the main irrigation line from the faucet. Double-check your diagram against the visual layout of your garden.

Step #3:Decide on the layout. For this example, you have two options:

a) Run a mainline from the faucet to reach the end of the field to which you will connect sub-lines for each row to that line. This layout requires you to connect each sub-line to the main with T and L connectors. The disadvantage of this layout is, the more connections you have to the mainline the greater the likelihood that you will experience leaks in the system. If you are irrigating a very large area, you want to use this layout.

b) Run a mainline from the faucet twisting and turning it down the length of each row until you reach the end of the field. The advantage is that if the area was previously lawn, you will not have to run a mainline to the end of your lawn. The disadvantage is that the increase in runoff will decrease the amount of water available for use by plants in the garden.

Step #4:According to the measurements you made and depending on which layout you select, cut and connect the following pipes:

a) sub-lines to the faucet

b) sub-lines to the ends of the line

c) mainline which will follow the contours of the land

d) mainline to the location with a sprinkler head

e) drainage pipes

f) bottom drainage pipes

g) elevation changed

h) wired for electricity

i) wired for electricity

j) disconnected

k) connected to the main

These 4 wires need to be placed about 4 feet apart. Another wire that will run between the plants and the mainline will run the length of the row. The very simple layout, just beds, was used in small irrigation systems to minimize the hassle of hooking up the sprinklers or operating the drain pipes.

Step #5:In the following step, we will discuss what each plant requires to thrive and grow.

a) Perennial Plants

Step #6:For perennial plants, you want to enhance their beauty and also insulate the root zone to help the plant deliver during the winter.

b) Biennials

Step #7:For biennials or herbaceous plants, they will die back to the ground but during the off-season wither and turn into a decorative shrub.

c) Succulents

Step #8: defines the borders of your planting area

d) defines the contours of your lawn

e) hunches, frames, and rushing

f) deep pockets of mulch

A windowsill herb garden is a great way to spend your free time and it will make your cooking more exciting as well. If you don’t have any windows in your home, perhaps a patio would be a more suitable place for some herb plants. Before you begin planting, it is important to purchase the appropriate containers.