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Vegetable Gardening

Help! Drip Irrigation People

12 years ago

I just took the advice of some people on this forum to do drip irrigation. Looks like its gonna be great! Here are the links they gave to get me started:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6410938679756499779#

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/Horticulture_Home_2008-02pr.pdf

My Scenario:

Garden: 30 X 45 feet. Tomatoes on the furthest end from the water source. (They need the most water!) We have 11 (30 ft) runs off the main water source. The first couple of sections are getting water. (Some better than others.) We have 4 sections that are set up with "3ish" offshoots and valves. We drilled 1/16" holes every 2 inches of the lines that run through the garden. (Possible 'slight' debris from running lines through mulched, mature garden.)

Problem: Last 2 sections (away from source) not getting water at all AND the ends of the first two sections not really receiving water to the full length (30") of the PVC pipe. Everything capped properly.

Question: Do we need to elevate ALL of the piping to the exact same height in order to get the proper water flow to ALL sections of the garden. (The lines are not the same, exact height due to different mounding through out the raised bed garden. Seriously, No major inclines though.)

OR any other help/suggestions to get proper flow is MUCH appreciated. Thanks guys for your info!

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Comments (3)

nygardener
12 years ago
Drip irrigation works off of water pressure, not elevation. (Gravity-fed systems, which yours probably isn't, make use of the difference in elevation between a reservoir and the garden, which creates pressure.) So variations in elevation aren't your problem.

It sounds like the problem is that, instead of using emitters or dripline (both of which contain valves that regulate flow rates within a pressure range), you've drilled holes in your pipes. These create lots of flow close to the source and none farther out, because all the water is going to the plants close to the start.

If that's right, then start over with dripline. A supplier like DripWorks can help you design your system, including the diameter and spacing of the lines.
exmar zone 7, SE Ohio
12 years ago
Redo with dripline and/or soaker hoses.

You might be able to salvage your existing installation by adding three more "main water sources" by adding a direct "feed" to each of the farthest corner of your garden and also tying all the ends together. Also tie all the ends together where the existing main feed is and add another connection there. Effectively, you'll be overcoming the existing pressure loss so all areas will get (some) water.

What is the water pressure at your source? Adding one of those little "booster" pumps with tank may also help.

Good luck,

Ev
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Generally, if you are working with a drip line on an incline, you want to go across the incline so the drip line remains fairly level. Running the line up and down the hill results in pressure changes from top to bottom with the result that the bottom gets more water than the top. If you go across the slope, the pressure remains constant similar to flat ground. If your slope has a height change of 4 or 5 feet or less and is a gentle slope, I don't think you would have much problem. With a greater change in elevation, then you might see some effects. I'm not a water expert and can't give you exact heights that would be acceptable or not, but if you go crosswise, this won't be a problem. Your main feeder line can go with the slope, and at worst you may need to either add a pressure regulator on the lower laterals or some valves to restrict the flow somewhat and get more pressure at the top. That is easy to do and you can start without, then add valves/regulators after you try it if the results aren't satisfactory. The other thing to watch on a slope is the rate you apply water. If it is faster than it can soak in, it will start running downhill over the surface instead of soaking in, you'll get erosion and the top won't get enough water and the bottom too much.
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ts, Too much pressure. Test your pressure from the splitter and see what you get(hose water pressure gauge from hardware store). Let us know what it is. Your 20 psi pressure regulator may be overwhelmed with the initial pressure or maybe not functioning. I can tell you are concerned with a pressure problem when you say I only turned the water a little bit. Aloha
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Thanks for that response! Why the 1/4" emitter lines though? Couldn't I just run the 1/2" line beside the tomato plants? I'm not questioning the advice, but just rather curious if running 1/4 emitter lines to the plants offers an advantage over just running 1/2 " line everywhere?
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I am a drip irrigation hobbyist rather than an "expert," but I'll tell you what my experience has been. 1) For one, I would certainly put the backflow-preventer, filter, and pressure regulator downstream of the timer, as there will be additional pressure losses through the valves and turns of the timer. So yes, that means a backflow-preventer, filter, and pressure regulator for each line, in order. I actually had high-quality hose bibs with built-in backflow prevention installed about a decade ago during some remodeling work, so now I only need a backflow device if working on a system for other people. Many municipalities are requiring backflow prevention hose bibs to protect the water supply from contaminants, so this might be something to consider as well. 2) So yes, by using the pressure regulator after the timer, lines 3 and 4 can be attached to regular garden hoses at full pressure. 3) I routinely use high-quality garden hose (contractor-grade hoses, or Craftsmen black all-rubber hoses) to transport water to my drip irrigation systems that are 100' or more from my water sources. Since you are limited on the run-length of the 1/2" poly tubing due to static pressure loss along the length of the run, using a garden hose to get to the area to be irrigated is the only way I know how, short of installing a new water line. -Kris
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Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
12 years ago
By the time you get to the end of your pipe, you lost all pressure because of the number of holes. As above, you'll want to either re-do properly with emitters and hose/tape, or re-do drilling fewer holes. Or re-do with a larger pipe to carry more water (provided not larger than inlet pipe).

Dan

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