Knowing the proper drip irrigation system installation guide can help you get the best layout for your garden while avoiding pricey cost for the arrangement. You can’t just install the system and hope for the best. Such a thing requires careful planning. It’s actually a pretty intricate arrangement and planning.

Drip Irrigation Concept

Drip irrigation is about distributing water through a pipe network in a low pressure manner, and it should be done within a predetermined pattern. You use the so-called dripper to release the water. Drippers would reduce the network’s pressure via a long (flowing) path or a narrow nozzle. With this system, you can reduce the discharge flow to liters within an hour. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the proper drip irrigation system installation guide to ensure correct function and usage.

The General Method

The first thing to do in the drip irrigation system installation guide is to plan and design. You must know your own gardening areas and also plants. The drip irrigation can be used on vines, flowerbeds, trees, veggies, shrubs, pots, individual plants, and also plant containers. It can also be used on planting areas that are quite narrow.

If you can come up with the layout, you can list everything in your garden. Spot the locations of each flower bed, big or small tree, ground cover, veggie garden, and even shrub. You should then divide those plants into the proper groups: those who need similar watering requirements and those in need of sun exposure. For the latter, you should also divide them into those within shaded areas or within full sun exposure.

Soil Consideration

Different soil types will lead to different drippers or micro sprinklers being used. There is no such a thing as a uniformed sprinkler for different kinds of soil. What kind of soil do you have? If you want to test it out, on dry soil, take a handful of it, grip it tightly and then release. If it falls apart and crumbles when released, you have sandy soil. Water will move through it, straight down the drain. You want to use a micro sprinkler with wider spacing or 2 GPH drippers with 10 to 12 inches apart.

If the soil still holds together, but breaks apart easily, then you have loamy soil. Water will spread evenly and move slowly. You can use 1 GPH drippers with 16 to 18 inches spacing. If the soil still holds together quite well (not breaking at all), you have clay soil. Water would be slowly absorbed. You can use 1 or 0.5GPH drippers with 18 to 24 inches of spacing.

Choose a Method

You need to decide a method based on the water outlets availability, the area’s dimension or size, garden design, and also plant materials. There are generally 3 different methods:

  • Faucet connection. One of the simplest installation methods is to connect the system to the outdoor faucet as the main (lateral) line. You can use ½ inch of poly tube and hose end timer for the automation.
  • Irrigation valve. You can also connect the system to a below ground valve or the above ground valve (with anti siphon mechanism). Anti siphon valve is the combo unit of atmospheric backflow preventer and valve. You need to check your local codes before applying the system.
  • Retrofit a sprinkler system riser. There are certain technicalities about this system, so be sure to understand it completely.

Final Words

The entire arrangement for this installation can be confusing and overwhelming. If you are completely clueless, contact a professional service to get their help. They can help you with the drip irrigation system installation guide, including helping you with the entire installation although you will have to spend extra money.