How to Install Garden Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation systems allow you to water your lawn or garden directly into the root system where plants and trees can use it more efficiently. Spraying the leaves and flowers does not produce the same results for your plants. Planning ahead is one of the best ways to ensure that your drip irrigation system puts water exactly where your lawn and garden need it.
- Sketch out your garden's dimensions on a piece of paper. Make sure you indicate the correct shape of your garden and mark each plant or tree in the area you will be installing the irrigation system.
- Determine the shortest distance you could use for the irrigation system and still water the majority of your plants. Large plants or trees may need separate irrigation lines. If your plants are spread out across large distances, you may be better off using separate lines for each grouping. Seeing the layout on paper helps determine which method is best.
- Measure the routes you have determined from your sketch to be the best layouts for your hoses.
- Purchase the amount of drip irrigation hose you need as well as any connectors from your local home and garden supply store. Use larger diameter irrigation hose with your larger trees and plants. Use the smaller irrigation hoses for smaller plants.
- Connect the irrigation hose with the connectors and lay out the hose according to your diagram.
- Turn the drip irrigation system on at your water source and walk the entire system to see if any leaks are present. If you need to move the irrigation hose to water your garden more efficiently, you will be able to see this when you inspect the system. Inspect the system regularly to ensure there is no damage or leaking you need to fix.