I always like to "loop" zones of soakers, drip ect. wherever possible to minimize pressure loss at the end of the lateral runs. In other words, instead of supplying the soaker hoses from just one source/head, use several instead to feed the hoses from both ends to get more uniform coverage throughout the run. I think you'll have better more even irrigation using this technique. So instead of this: o--------------- It would be something more like this: o--------o---------o All Wet

Hi all, I have a four-barrel system that I have hooked up and will begin using this year. I also have an irrigation system I made using 1/2-inch PVC pipe. The 1/2-inch PVC pipe has a small 1/16-inch hole drilled out along the pipe just where each stem of a plant is at. So if you have six-inch spacing between plants, make small 1/16-inch holes along the pipe every six inches. The 1/2-inch PVC pipe is about $1 per 10 feet. Last year I had the pipe hooked up to a water timer from a spigot on the house. This year it will all be connected to the rain barrel. As lehua13 suggested, there is a different amount of water usage depending upon the elevation. I found that there was substantial flow of water a a hole that was lower than another. As an example, my front yard drops by about two feet over 30 feet. The PVC pipe at the top of the hill had very little water output compared to the pipe at the bottom of the hill. As lehua13 said, this is due to the pressure being greater at the bottom - and thereby forcing the water out. I think you will have this same problem with any kind of system that is similar to that method - like the one you mention. The only way around it would be to set up valves along the PVC pipe to help regulate the flow of water - to make it more even. This would even require quite a bit of tinkering. Anyways, the system I made is quite affordable and cheap and was posted online from a university. It works very well and ensures that water is supplied directly to each plant - instead of soaker hoses that supply water throughout the length of the hose where some of the water is wasted. Here are some links for information: PVC Irrigation System Slight Update to PVC Irrigation System Water pushing through 1/16-inch holes in PVC pipe with two rain barrels 220 Gallon Rain Water System

Thank you for responding to my post. The areas I would like to control would be in line, so I was just wondering if I could effectively supress the flow of water by preventing it from escaping the hose. For instance, I have 3 raised beds with walkways between them. That two feet of walkway between beds gets watered, which is a waste. Right now I'm using old pool railing as diverters, so the water goes into the bed.

W, You got it done and are happy with the result. Nothing better. Others can take a look and emulate. aloha