You may not be familiar with the term fertigation, but fertigation simply is an alternative way
to fertilize your plants and lawn through your irrigation system.
A typically fertilizer injector system like the EZ-FLO main line units have a tank where
concentrated fertilizer, commonly in liquid form, is dissolved in water, then distributed
in small doses with each watering cycle.
There's plenty of scientific research that supports the advantages of fertigation as
compared with traditional fertilizing techniques.
Fertilizer absorption rates are greatly increased when fertilizer is delivered in liquid form,
leading to healthier plants.
Environmental concerns regarding runoff are virtually eliminated, and it's also safer,
since fertilizer is delivered in micro doses, eliminating exposure to harmful chemicals
as you work in your greenhouse, nursery, or garden.
The EZ-FLO systems that are available at Ewing are very simple to install and maintain, as
you will see.
There are various sizes of the EZ-FLO main line system to choose from.
Depending on your needs, the capacities range from one and a half gallons up to the 25 gallon
high capacity model.
Keep in mind that the larger the tank the less often you will have to refill it.
The main components of the system include the EZ-FLO tanks with a cap that allows you
to adjust the feed rate, shutoff valves that you'll use during refills, and a ball valve
coupling that will be spliced into the main line.
The ball valve coupling has two ports on it, one for filling the tank with water and the
other for injecting the dissolved fertilizer into the irrigation system.
Be sure to select the correct size ball valve coupling to fit your main line.
The EZ-FLO tank can be mounted above ground or in a valve box.
The important thing to keep in mind is that the ball valve coupling must always be installed
at or below the level of the EZ-FLO tank.
It is also important to have an approved backflow prevention device installed between the EZ-FLO
system and your water source to prevent contamination of the water supply.
The first step to installing your EZ-FLO system is to expose the main line.
Make sure to turn off the water supply, then cut a section out for the ball valve coupling.
To make the job easier we suggest using a slip fix on one end.
Some EZ-FLO models include the slip fix option pre-assembled for added convenience.
After the ball valve coupling is in place, attach the included tubing to the barbed fitting
on each side of the valve's handle.
Each length of tubing is five feet long so you can locate your EZ-FLO tank in a convenient
place adjacent to your main line.
The black tubing, for incoming water, connects to the blue barb and the clear tubing should
be connected to the green barb.
Be sure to use the high pressure tubing clamps which are included to secure the tubing to
the barbs.
Run the other end of the tubing to where the tank will be located and make sure the tubing
shutoff valves are in the closed position.
The water supply can now be turned back on.
At this point, screw on the blue and green caps to the appropriate port on the EZ-FLO
tank cap.
Then disconnect the shutoff valves from the tubing.
This is done by pressing what washer against the shutoff valve while pulling the tubing
out.
Next, remove the tank cap and fill the tank with a EZ-FLO-recommended liquid or water-soluble
fertilizer.
Top it off with water so that there is no air left in the tank, then replace the cap.
To purge any air that might still be trapped in the tank you'll need to reconnect the black
tubing to the shutoff valve.
Don't forget the washer.
Then open the shutoff valve slightly until you see a steady stream flowing from the clear
tubing on the opposite side of the cap.
Close the white tubing shutoff valve and connect the other side.
Next, open both shutoff valves and check the system for leaks.
Once you've done this you're ready to dial in the feed rate.
The most common setting is slow, but your feed rate may vary depending on the type of
fertilizer you used as well as site requirements.
Now your installation is complete.
Just water normally and the EZ-FLO system will take care of the rest.
Remember to fertilize responsibly, and if you have questions or would like to learn
more, stop into your local Ewing branch or visit us online at ewingirrigation.com.