I decided to make this a separate post. This is only my second year of drip irrigation. There is expense involved, but some parts may last several years. It's a lot to learn. I grew up in the midwest, where summer rains did all of the watering. Here in the Pacific NW, it's dry from mid May to Mid September, and summers are growing hotter and drier. So I have to adapt. A lot of my garden is raised beds but I also have a lot in ground. I'm using soaker hoses for row crops in raised beds, and loops of soaker hose or 1/4 tubing with drip emitters for crops in round containers. Here are bush beans from last year, in July. I set a shallow container under about 6 inches of the hose, to measure water output. I used about an inch of water, every other day, in hot weather. For plants that are further apart and need individual watering, I'm using 1-gallon per hour individual emitters, one emitter near each plant. Yesterday I installed them for tomatoes, first on top of paper to test, then I shifted them to under the paper mulch. (The rebar rods hold down the paper in wind) I'm still on the learning curve. Last year, everything with drip irrigation did great . The work was so much less than watering by hand with hose or watering can. I assume water consumption was very much less too, based on published claims . It's incredibly easier to spend an hour or two now in the Spring, once per bed, setting up each irrigated bed (I'm slow), than hauling watering cans every other day during the summer, for two hours or so per day. In the heat and sun. I don't like working in 85F or 90F or 100F heat, which is when it's most urgently and frequently needed. This year, I'm expanding the drip irrigation to the three new beds, although one covers ground that was irrigated before building the beds. I will also expand to the squashes, which are more scattered and I hand watered last year. That's about a dozen vines, which I was watering with a gallon a day or every other day last year. If I have time and inclination, the sweetcorn and potatoes might follow. I am thinking about drip tape for those. Problems. It's kind of intimidating, learning this on my own . There is so much information but most isn't that appropriate to one's individual situation. So it's a learn-by-doing process. My well water is high mineral. Last year it clogged the soaker hose lines. I used a safety pin to punch new holes in the lines, about a hole every six inches. That converted them into micro-sprayers, which actually worked nicely until they clogged again. I had to re-punch just a couple of more times for the season. I also installed a mesh in-line filter which helps a little. If the system is all on at the same times, things that don't need water are getting it anyway. Such as garlic or onion beds that I want to dry when they are mature. I put in more shut-off valves, one for each bed, to solve that problem. All that plastic . The lines and emitters are awkward for cultivating. I've been moving to sheet mulches so there is less need for cultivation, plus they conserve water. I like kraft paper or butcher paper because it is compostable when the year is done and isn't plastic. I use plastic in some areas too. Both help a lot with not needing to weed. It can be intimidating to do it all at once. Now I tackle one area at a time. Benefits. Much less tedious work watering, especially in the heat. The prep work is done in Spring, before hot season. I'm exercising my brain a little . Less water use. With the sheet mulches, less time spent cultivating. I get to enjoy my garden and its gifts, more. So that's my learning process so far.
Wow ! Sounds like you have it figured out ! I tried the drip hoses one year but found out they were more trouble than they were worth ! But,, thats for Texas ! Keep us updated !
Thanks! I still have a lot to learn. It's a different kind of gardening but I think in the right situation can make a tremendous difference. At least, so far for me it does. I don't think I can continue to haul hoses and watering cans like I used to.
I know what you mean about not needing to worry about watering. We usually don't either, but the last two-three summers have had very long, hot, dry spells for here. I've got two long hoses I move about and am not ready to make such an elaborate watering system as yours yet. If we have to at leas I know who to ask for advice then. Our water is almost lime free so I won't have clogging to worry about.
I take my hat off to you Daniel. Very much a man after my own heart. Not getting the proverbial violin out, but so much of my life has involved making it myself etc. Our brain like the rest of our body is such a marvel of creation. Sadly so, so many can't be bothered to use it. I have little time for those who, whilst admiring a fete you have performed say. Oh I could never do that. Have you tried? NO. Well go away and try. If then you can't, then I will help you. Many thanks for posting. Wishing you all the best with your projects.
