Watering - the perennial bane of my existence

moswell 3/26/2018, 1:43 pm

Hi all! Haven't posted in a while, though I continue to SFG every year. I bought a house in summer, 2014, and am slowly making permanent improvements on my gardening practices. I think this might be the year to do some kind of permanent watering system because here in the mid-Atlantic, once August rolls around I am sick to death of lugging water to the back of my yard or using the sprinkler (which is inefficient, hurts the leaves, and damages the tomato trellis lines).

So, I was thinking of setting up a drip system, connected to a hose I would run down my backyard. I have two 4x4 boxes, so nothing too elaborate. I don't mind playing with PVC. Has anyone recently used the system described in the post below, and if so, any tweaks you'd recommend? Or is it better to find a kit somewhere? Thanks!

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t11364p25-8-table-top-boxes-with-automatic-watering-video

**AtlantaMarie** 3/27/2018, 8:05 am

Hi Moswell! Welcome home!!

moswell 3/27/2018, 2:54 pm

AtlantaMarie wrote:Hi Moswell! Welcome home!!

Thanks! I'm ready for another successful gardening season. Very Happy

SQWIB 3/27/2018, 3:10 pm

Personally I would start off with a kit from a place like Drip Depot
At DD you can chose a kit, click customize and add to your kit or select everything individually.

I started with emitters and eventually switched to all Emitter lines. For my pots I make a loop out of emitter lines and depending on the size of the pot, may have two or three emitters in the line. I usually install a valve to each bed, pot or area for better control.

moswell 3/27/2018, 3:24 pm

SQWIB wrote:Personally I would start off with a kit from a place like Drip Depot
At DD you can chose a kit, click customize and add to your kit or select everything individually.

I started with emitters and eventually switched to all Emitter lines. For my pots I make a loop out of emitter lines and depending on the size of the pot, may have two or three emitters in the line. I usually install a valve to each bed, pot or area for better control.

So something like this? https://www.dripdepot.com/product/deluxe-drip-irrigation-kit-for-container-gardening

SQWIB 3/27/2018, 7:16 pm

I would try to find a kit that has a pressure reducer, hose adaptor and whatever you want for watering, emitters, drop line, sprayers, etc...
One suggestion about the kits is the filter clogs easily, I would go with a better filter than the kits have.

SQWIB 3/27/2018, 7:18 pm

Like the tag line canister filters

moswell 3/28/2018, 2:49 pm

SQWIB wrote:Like the tag line canister filters

Thanks for the recommendation.

SQWIB 3/28/2018, 3:00 pm

moswell wrote:
SQWIB wrote:Like the tag line canister filters
Thanks for the recommendation.

No problem, when I get my irrigation setup, I'll take some pics.

Timers are a great addition to, I have the Orbit one way and two way, the one in the main garden is a two way and waters all the beds and the other valve tops off the pond thats hooked to a float valve to prevent over filling.

Pricey but worth it.
Orbit One Valve, Amazon

Zuly98 4/2/2018, 3:43 pm

Hi, I just installed my drip irrigation watering system onto my 3 SFG beds. It took some time, but works great! My 14 year old daughter and I did it ourselves. I used the DIG brand and got most of my items from Home Depot. I watched a few How To videos on youtube and got it connected. I did need to order some of the lines on Amazon since they did not have everything at home depot. Let us know how your install goes. I hooked up the timer to my faucet and VOILA! Water!

**sfg4uKim** 4/5/2018, 9:43 am

I would suggest using a chlorine filter on your spigot.

moswell 4/5/2018, 9:44 am

Thanks all. I got my drip kit yesterday, but I'm waiting until Sunday to do anything in the garden, given the chance for snow (argh)!

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Watering - the perennial bane of my existence

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Just installed mine

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