water-where and when you want it!

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WATER ! Accurately Applied Where and When You Want It

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Page 1: Water-Where and When You Want It!

WATER !Accurately Applied

Where and When You Want It

Page 2: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Drip irrigation is a method of applying slow,steady and precise amounts of water andnutrients to specific areas of trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens, ground covers or potted plants.

What is Drip Irrigation?

Page 3: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Drip Irrigation for the Home Landscape and Garden

Page 4: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Benefits of Drip Irrigation

• Water savings, since only those areas directly around plant’s root zone are irrigated.

• Plants undergo less stress from variations in soil moisture.

• Slow application rate prevents excess surface water build-up and reduces evaporation.

• Weed growth is reduced because areas between plants are not irrigated.

• System’s low flow rate allows irrigation of larger areas and more plants can be watered at once.

• The water application rate can be tailored to fit each individual plant if necessary.

Page 5: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Drip Irrigation System Design

There is no one right way to design a system. Each person must judge for themselves the kind Of system that would work the best for them.Water cost, water availability, component andinstallation costs and maintenance skill levelrequirements are all factors to be consideredwhen deciding which system to use.

Page 6: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Example Garden Drip IrrigationApplications – Using PVC Pipes

Traditional Garden Raised Beds

Page 7: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Major Benefits of Drip Systems

• Water Savings: 75% >

• Weeding time saved: 90%

• Hand watering time saved: 90%

• Healthier plants due to consistent watering amounts and schedules

Page 8: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Examples of Water-Delivery Components for Home Gardens

< Soaker Hoses >

Micro-SprinklersEmitters-Drippers ¼” “Weep

Tubing”

Page 9: Water-Where and When You Want It!

The above photo shows the main water line (1), the battery-powered timer control unit and valve (2), the filter (3), and pressure regulator (4). Other essential components of the system (not shown) include the backflow preventer, which here is located at the main water supply, and the distribution tubing to additional soaker hoses and/or micro-sprinklers as needed.

Soaker Hoses – Usually Installed Under Mulch

A Micro-Sprinkler

The Timer and Valve Unit

A Simple One-Zone Drip Watering System

Page 10: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Timers and Control Valves

A Battery Powered Single-Zone Timer A 110V Timer for

Multiple Zones

Two Anti-siphon Valves and Pressure Reducers with a Connected Timer – Allows Independent Watering of Two

ZonesNote: A “Zone” is one part of a drip system, controlled by one valve

Page 11: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Commonly Used Low-Cost Parts

Emitters/Drippers

Micro-Sprinklers with Mounting

Stakes

¼” Distribution Tubing

¼” “Weep Tubing”

Emitters/Drippers are used to apply water slowly over a relatively long time, typically 1-4 GPH (Gallon per hour) each. Micro-Sprinklers , “Weep Tubing” and Soaker Hoses are used to apply more water in a shorter time, typically 5 GPH and up, depending on the micro-sprinkler head type, or the length of weep tubing or soaker hose used. Emitters should not be mixed in one zone with other types of delivery components such as weep tubing, micro-sprinklers or soaker hoses, due to the different water-application times needed.

¼” Tubing Fittings

Page 12: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Commonly Used Low-Cost Parts

Pressure Reducer (Typically 25 psi) 1/2” Tubing

Fittings

1/2” Main Distribution Tubing

Not Shown: Adapters between different pipe threads and/or sizes of pipe.

Water FilterUsed to prevent clogging of emitters/drippers and other distribution components.

Page 13: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Drip Irrigation Using Spot Emitters/Drippers

Emitters/drippers are placed close to each plant, accurately dispensing water without the evaporative waste of overhead sprinklers or irrigation “ditches” between rows. Special tubing is available with emitters built-in at regular intervals, or single emitters can be placed on standard tubing at needed intervals to accommodate randomly-spaced plants. If mulch is used, emitters should be under the mulch to minimize evaporation.

Page 14: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Some Micro-Sprinkler Types in Action

Drip Irrigation Micro-Sprinklers

Micro-Sprinklers are placed on plastic stakes and positioned to cover a relatively small area. They are most useful for watering shorter plants and ground covers. Lengths of ¼” tubing from the main distribution tubing to the sprinklers should be long enough to allow re-positioning as plants grow. Available coverage patterns include ¼, ½, full circle and adjustable-output “drippers” (at right). Many allow adjustment of their output volume. Water patterns should be kept as low as possible to minimize evaporation.

Page 15: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Drip Irrigation for Pots or Containers

1/4” “Weep Tubing” can be coiled in the pots before or after planting. Emitters/drippers may also be used in pots or containers.

The results are worth the initial effort – and watering is much easier thereafter!

Page 16: Water-Where and When You Want It!

So… You Can Go On Summer Vacations!Design and install your own automatic drip watering system. Test and monitor it for a week or two. Make adjustments as needed. Then go on vacation, knowing your precious plants will be watered in your absence!

Let your little “Garden Watering Gnome” think that he has done the caretaking in your absence.

(Don’t tell him, but you know it was your

new drip watering system that really did it!)

Page 17: Water-Where and When You Want It!

Acknowledgements

The “Blue Background” slides in this PowerPoint presentation were adapted from a

Utah State Cooperative Extension document written by Jeffry E. Banks, USU Extension Agent

Juab County, Nephi, Utah

Adaptations to the original slides have been made in this presentation with Mr. Banks permission, and additional

slides added, in order to acquaint the small garden or home landscape owner with the benefits of low-cost drip

watering in the smaller-scale environment

July, 2012D. Moland, Jefferson County Master Gardener