Welcome to part 1 of a five-part series on how to install and assemble drip
irrigation systems. Whether you're going to be using poly tubing, drip tape, soaker
hose, emitterline or with various sprinklers and emitters you're going to
start out with the same planning and assembly. To begin with get out your pen
and pad and tape measure for the planning session. Your drip irrigation
system begins at the water source, whether that's a free-standing faucet
near your garden, a hose bib on your house, a spigot near a well ditch or
other water source. Start by measuring how far it is from your water source to
your gardens and also whether you can water all your gardens with one line
from the source or if you'll need several lines such as if your gardens
are located in different directions from the faucet, or you need to determine if
you need more feet of line than the system can support at once. You'll also
need to measure your garden beds, length and width. From the measures you've taken
you can now draw out all of your gardens on paper. Note each measurement on your
drawing then draw in or note what you'll be watering–veggie beds, flowers,
perennials, trees and shrubs should all be included in your diagram. Now it's
time to take the time and analyze what kind of drip system is going to be the
best for you. You need to incorporate several types for the most efficient irrigation.
Check out the corresponding videos on each type of irrigation system to learn
more about what each system is used for before you decide, or you can check out
any one of our drip irrigation assembly guides at groworganic.com.
The first part of your system from your water source to the edge of your garden
will be the same no matter what kind of drip irrigation system you choose. At the
end of either a hose or faucet the first thing you'll install is a Y-connection
or you can use a 4-way connection. This allows you to water other things and use
your faucet for other things without disconnecting your drip system. Next
install a vacuum breaker. This will prevent back flow from your
irrigation system and prevent your water source from becoming contaminated. This
will be especially important if you plan to be using a fertilizer injector system.
If you are going to be using a fertilizer injector system now is the
time to install it, however, read the manufacture instructions carefully
because some timers can't be used with the fertilizer injector system and possibly
some other components of the drip system that you choose. A filter should be
installed next, this will prevent your drip system from getting clogged. A
flushable Y-filter is very easy to clean or you can use an economical
inline filter. A filter is especially important if you're using a fertilizer
injector or if your water source is from a well, irrigation pond or a ditch. An
optional accessory to add next is a timer. There are a variety of timers to
choose from. Anywhere from a simple mechanical timer to a fully digital
Wi-Fi enabled timer that you program from your smartphone or computer and
everything in between. Adding a timer will save you time and money on your
water bills. Most drip systems work best with a fixed pressure regulator. If you
find out that your water pressure may be too high, you can determine what type of
pressure regulator to use based on the type of drip system you're going to be
installing. Now that your irrigation system is protected, filtered, timed and
regulated you can add the poly tubing. The poly tubing will bring the water to
the edge of your garden. So at the end of the pressure regulator you'll need to
install a Power-Loc Starter, depending on your design this might be a single
female starter or a Tee, for two lines of poly tubing. Attach your 1/2 inch poly to the starter and then power lock it in place.
Now you're ready to lay it down in the garden. You can stake it down with ground
staples or you can hold it firmly in place along a wooden deck or raised beds
with mounting clips. Your irrigation is ready for the next step, how to get the
water from the poly tubing to the plants. Check out our corresponding videos on
how to set up a drip irrigation using emitterline, soaker-hose, drip tape and all
the rest of the accessories, and grow organic for life!