Soaker Hose had a blow-out . . . Tell me about drip lines

[TastyofHasty]

Drip Tape is a flat-ish hose with built in emitters spaced out evenly throughout the hose

When you say "built in emitters" is that just, like, a slit in the tape?

and yeah, Jeff, the Rain Bird starter kit just has plastic tubing.

Good to know the tape is cheaper and more versatile than the tubing, and that the Rain Bird stuff is slightly different size than generic.

People talk about burying the tape, do you bury the tubing?

[Train]

Ya Tiger

I just ran across this.
I use drip irrigation and
can tell you it really is the
only way to go.
I buy from Drip works because
of the high level of support
you get there.
I consul you to get their catalog
and even talk to them over the phone.
You will want to filter and use a timer.
Here is something you can click on.
http://www.dripworks.com/
Take your time and go through the entire
catalog, then talk to them about putting
together a system tailored to your patch.
They don't charge for that.
Just send them a sketch or everything and
they put the recommendation together for
you.
They aren't the only folks out there selling
this stuff.
You can even get it at Home Depot but
when you need advice and assistance
Home depot says we're a warehouse
and drip works asks what the can help with.
The very reason I buy all my bee supplies
from Brushy Mountain, service.
You can learn a lot at drip works then make
up your own mind where to buy, that's your
privilege.
I can tell you that 2 weeks into using the drip
system and you can see a large change in the
plants in so far as growth and color.
Does this help?
Train

[Little Minnie]

Dave where did you get that filter? I have the kit one.

[TnTiger]

Originally Posted by Train

Ya Tiger

I just ran across this.
I use drip irrigation and
can tell you it really is the
only way to go.
I buy from Drip works because
of the high level of support
you get there.
I consul you to get their catalog
and even talk to them over the phone.
You will want to filter and use a timer.
Here is something you can click on.
http://www.dripworks.com/
Take your time and go through the entire
catalog, then talk to them about putting
together a system tailored to your patch.
They don't charge for that.
Just send them a sketch or everything and
they put the recommendation together for
you.
They aren't the only folks out there selling
this stuff.
You can even get it at Home Depot but
when you need advice and assistance
Home depot says we're a warehouse
and drip works asks what the can help with.
The very reason I buy all my bee supplies
from Brushy Mountain, service.
You can learn a lot at drip works then make
up your own mind where to buy, that's your
privilege.
I can tell you that 2 weeks into using the drip
system and you can see a large change in the
plants in so far as growth and color.
Does this help?
Train

Hi Train,

This is very helpful and this is exactly what I will do. In some ways this doesn't sound that difficult but then i start looking at the different types of emitters and tubing (not to mention filters, etc) and my eyes start to glaze over! My garden isn't that big or complicated but I know that I'm not doing the best job of watering right now because one side is always drier than the other side so that is just one of the little details I hope to correct for next year!

Thanks!

[jeffinsgf]

Originally Posted by TastyofHasty

When you say "built in emitters" is that just, like, a slit in the tape?

and yeah, Jeff, the Rain Bird starter kit just has plastic tubing.

Good to know the tape is cheaper and more versatile than the tubing, and that the Rain Bird stuff is slightly different size than generic.

People talk about burying the tape, do you bury the tubing?

Um...where did you get that tape is cheaper and more versatile? Cheaper I think is a wash, and it definitely is not as versatile.

And, no, it is not just a slit in the tape. If it were, you would have the same problem that soaker hoses have...more water coming out at the end closest to the spigot. In the tape there is a pressure regulator at each emitter so that each one delivers the same amount of water. There are limits to how long a run you can have and still get even coverage, but it is hundreds of feet if your supply has adequate pressure and flow.

I bury my emitters under mulch, but not under soil.

[pepperhead212]

Originally Posted by Little Minnie

Dave where did you get that filter? I have the kit one.

I got mine from Dripworks, and note that not all filters are rated for constant pressure. So I had to get a constant pressure filter in order to place the filter before all of my valves, otherwise I'd have to have a filter after each one. And all of the constant pressure filters are pipe thread, so I had to put some hose thread converters on them, which are inexpensive.

[Dakini]

Another fan of Dripworks, I started with the hardware store setups, Dripworks is heads and tail above in quality. I don't even think they're more expensive, you just have to wait for the shipping.

One thing I wish I had understood before I ordered my system is the tubing flow rates. 1/2" tubing can only handle a maximum flow of 240 GPH. 3/4" is 480 GPH. So if you have a lot of ground to cover, go with 3/4".

[jeffinsgf]

Originally Posted by Dakini

One thing I wish I had understood before I ordered my system is the tubing flow rates. 1/2" tubing can only handle a maximum flow of 240 GPH. 3/4" is 480 GPH. So if you have a lot of ground to cover, go with 3/4".

I'll add to this that in an ideal set up, you would run 1" PVC to within a few feet of the start of your zone. Keep the line as large, and with as few interruptions as possible for as long as possible. On some if my drip lines, I have PVC on the outlet side of the valve and don't reduce to the drip line until inside the raised bed.

[Cheffie]

I came on the board just now to ask about drip tape!! I will need enough for probably 10 rows, 96 ft long. I had seen a company a while back that had complete packages for 10 rows at 100 ft each. I am kicking myself for not saving the site because I can't find it now, and it was super affordable (like $300.00). So, DripWorks could customize something like this? What is their pricing like for something that large?

Edited to say: I am a complete moron when it comes to putting stuff like that together. Is it hard ?(couplers, bla blah) . I guess the really hard part is done (thanks FIL!), trenches were dug and irrigation was run from the well to the site.

High tunnel going up in two weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hooray!!!!

[jeffinsgf]

Cheffie,

Think TinkerToys. It's not quite as complicated as TinkerToys.