I have an average size lot and use three drip irrigation systems to water the vegetables, citrus, and front walkway. I frequent an excellent gardening forum and responded to a recent general question about a drip system. I figured others might like to know about this type of system, so here's some info.
I use the dig system. I can't say enough good things about this system, and I don't get free stuff for saying this. I highly recommend the Adjustable Micro Sprayer Kit, plug $40 in extra fittings. Here's my young tomato with a 360 micro sprayer attached to quarter-inch poly tubing. The quarter-inch poly is connected to half inch tubing which leads back to the faucet. I also attached a battery operated timer to the system.
The kit contains a few 360° micro sprayers. You'll want more. They cost $2.50 for a bag of two. It also has an adequate amount of 1/2" poly tubing and 1/4" micro tubing. You need a back-flow device, pressure regulator, and punch, which all come with the kit.
You can get a cheap timer for $20 from Wmart which will save you $10-20. HD has a 20 page booklet on how to set up the dig system. I carefully read it 4 times before installing everything.
My hints and tips...
- Use the micro sprayers instead of the drip emitters. Reason: emitters don't dispers water.
- You want the water to spread over the root ball which is NOT always at the base of the stem. Think citrus.
- Always make the 1/4" runs 6-10 inches longer than you think you'll need. Reason: You want flexibililty. Plant stems grow, so you want to be able to move the water source. Plus, from year to year, you'll have different plants in different places.
- I tend to favor the accessories that are adjustable.
- The $10 trigger punch rusts, but the $2 does not rust.
- Don't burry the emitters, they will get clogged if they are under the dirt.
- Get extra 1/4" Barbed Tees and goof plugs.
- Let the hose sit in the hot sun for 30 mins so it's more pliable. Your fingers WILL hurt putting together all those little barbed connectors.
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