Still Life With Three Flowers

Drip irrigation is the most effective way to water a flower or vegetable garden. The slow trickle of water is delivered directly to the base of the plant preventing run-off or evaporation caused by most other watering methods. Installing a drip irrigation system may seem like a daunting task, but once started many will find it both fun and easy.

The first place to start a drip irrigation system is at the water source. Place a brass hose Y fitting on the spigot so that the drip system does not have to be removed to access the water for other uses. An automated system makes drip that much easier. To automate the system install a battery timer on one end of the Y fitting. Next install a filter so that the system does not clog up later on down the road. Most municipal water sources have high water pressure, which is why a pressure regulator should be installed after the filter. Next install a fitting that has a female hose thread on one side and connects to 1/2" tubing on the other. To complete the faucet assembly insert the tubing into the end of the fitting.

The 1/2" mainline tubing can now be run from the faucet to the garden with stakes holding it in place every 4 feet or so. For more complex areas, various fittings may be needed to navigate the mainline tubing throughout the landscape. A hole should be punched in the tubing near the location of a plant. Now there are many options for the newly punched hole. An emitter can be inserted directly into the tubing if the plant is very close to the hole. If the plant is further away, a 1/4" transfer barb should be inserted into the whole. Now place blank 1/4" tubing on the other end of the transfer barb. The blank tubing is rolled out to the base of the plant and then an emitter is inserted into the end of the tubing. Another option is to use soaker dripline on the other end of the transfer barb. Soaker dripline is 1/4" tubing that has evenly spaced emitters built in the tubing. It is great for raised beds or plants in rows. The soaker dripline is rolled out to the desired length and then closed off with a goof plug. The process of punching holes and inserting emitters or tubing into them should be repeated until all of the plants in the garden are able to get water from the .

The last step for is to close the mainline tubing. The cheapest way is to use a figure eight fitting that will kink the end of the tubing to prevent any leaking. The cleanest looking method is a fitting that has tubing inserted into one end and then a closed cap on the other end.