How to Set Up Your Own Drip Irrigation System
Drip irrigation is a type of irrigation system where water is applied slowly and directly to the soil around plants. It is a very efficient way to water plants as it reduces water waste and provides plants with the necessary water they need to grow and thrive. In this blog, we will cover how you can set up your own drip irrigation system from a cab or a faucet. This is a very easy way to set up your own drip irrigation system, and you can even set up a drip irrigation system to an area where you can drink a trench.
Step 1: Dig a Trench The very first thing you want to do is dig a trench where you want to put in your pipeline to put your risers in for a drip line. You can use a tractor or a hand pick to dig the trench. Design a system to take water from this faucet and deliver the water through PVC pipes to all of this area of your garden.
Step 2: Lay out PVC Pipes After opening up the trench, lay down all the pieces of your PVC pipe right next to the trench so it's easier for you to glue. You can use a 3/4 inch class 200 pipe or a schedule 40 3/4 inch pipe as well. Put a tee joint at the end of this pipe as well. If your rows are going to be 4 feet apart, cut a 4 piece section of this PVC pipe and put the T joint at the end of both sections. Pre-carry all of your PVC pipe and pre-glue all of these three joint sections inside so that you can bring it outside and go real fast out in the sun so that you minimize your time out in the sun and from the heat. Then use a 4-foot 3/4 of an inch PVC pipe to join the two of these sections with the T joints.
Step 3: Glue the PVC Pipes Now, glue this section by putting some of the glue right on this pipe and then joining this section. Keep making sure that these T joints face upwards because you're going to be attaching your risers here. This is how you keep on continuing to put in your PVC pipe. The whole pipe is in as you can see. It took about two or three hours to make all the cuts and then glue them together plus the time taken for lunch. It takes time to do all of this stuff.
Step 4: Choose the Right Pipe Size It is important to choose the right pipe size depending on the flow rate that you want for your garden. Depending on how big your garden is, you might want a certain flow rate. Here's a chart of flow rate:
Low-pressure (from gravity to 20 psi): a 3/4 of an inch pipe can deliver up to 11 gallons per minute. Average psi (from 20 to 40 psi): a 3/4 of an inch pipe can deliver up to 23 gallons per minute. High-pressure (from 40 to 80 psi): a 3/4 of an inch pipe can deliver up to 30 gallons per minute.
Step 5: Attach the Risers Attach your risers to the T joints facing upwards. Connect your drip lines to the risers. You can use 1/4 inch tubing or 1/2 inch tubing for the drip lines. Make sure that the drip lines are connected to each other and not to the risers.
Step 6: Connect the System to the Faucet Finally, connect your system to the faucet by using a hose adapter. Turn on the water and test your system. You can adjust the flow rate by using a pressure regulator or a flow control valve.
In conclusion, setting up your own drip irrigation system can be an easy and efficient way to water your plants and vegetables. With just a few basic tools and some PVC pipes, you can create a system that delivers water directly to the roots of your plants, reducing water waste and helping your garden thrive. Remember to choose the right size of pipe based on your garden's flow rate needs, and to plan your pipeline carefully to ensure maximum coverage. With these tips, you'll be able to set up your own drip irrigation system and enjoy a healthier, happier garden in no time.