Any drip system for shrubs and/or trees must be expanded through the years so that it covers the additional root zone which has developed. In other words, let's say you started with two drippers per bush. The following year you may need three. In addition, the drippers may now need to be placed farther from the trunk. And/or perhaps one can change the dripper output. Let's say you started with 1 gpm drippers; you might replace some/all with 2 gpm. Beyond that, all drip systems need periodic inspections to ensure that all drippers are functioning.

Just to clarify if I read your question properly...how long do "they" being the blooms last? variety specific but a healthy plant will routinely produce blooms for six to seven months a year in my location. Perhaps in your location 4 - 5 months would be excellent results.

Probably not, but don't worry about it. Many of us have posted something on the wrong forum! But I think I have an answer for you. Google "seed shelf life" and see what you can find. Here's what I found and am keeping in my gardening spread-sheet. I think these are minimum years. Some seeds last much longer than the years given if they're stored under optimal conditions. Shelf Life of Seeds Asparagus - 3 years Beans - 3 years Beets - 4 years Broccoli - 3 years Brussels Sprouts - 4 years Cabbage - 4 years Carrots - 3 years Cauliflower - 4 years Celeriac - 3 years Celery - 3 years Chard,Swiss chard - 4 years Chicory - 4 years Chinese Cabbage - 3 years Collards - 5 years Corn - 2 years Corn Salad-(mache) - 5 years Cress - 5 years Cucumbers - 5 years Eggplant - 4 years Endive - 5 years Kale - 4 years Kohlrabi - 3 years Leeks - 2 years Lettuce - 6 years Muskmelon - 5 years Okra - 2 years Onions - 1 year Parsnips - 1 year Peas - 3 years Peppers - 2 years Radishes - 5 years Rutabagas - 4 years Salsify - 1 year Scorzonera - 2 years Sorrel - 4 years Southern Peas - 3 years Spinach - 3 years Squash & Pumpkins - 4 years Tomatoes - 4 years Turnips - 4 years Coriander - 4 years

ThatÂs a good first posting, RH. I think you are a smart inquirer. Not that it matters. But, hereÂs a reply. Your query, "How long do these iron pipes last," is a great new question. The answer is, it depends. Aw Shucks. You see, if there are no extenuating circumstances, cast iron pipes are about as good as it gets. Of course, that is for old installations, such as yours. You can hardly beat PVC for new work. That said, if you have CI and it is properly installed, it will outlive you. I had a bad experience in a rental house. The idiots (sorry, they arenÂt that clever) installed CI piping when the sewers came thru after septic systems were the norm. It would have been just fine, except that the DIYers were not up to the task. They installed the new lines with a reverse slope. That is, instead of having a natural drainage slope of ¼" per foot, they installed the new pipes so that there was a small negative slope; but altogether it was a total fall. That is, the 4-inch pipes were fully adequate to take the flow, but the negative slope meant that there was a dip in the run that always was wetted with sewage. This failed, as luck would have it, years later when I became the owner. The CI pipe (No-Hub) which is a different recipe than the older version, was eaten-thru, so that is eventually formed a leak. The lower surfaces were rotted away and the leaks were evident as thin skin on the bottom-most outside diameter. This could easily occur, unseen, underground. CI pipe is a premium product. If you have it, it should last a "lifetime." Whatever that means. But I canÂt help thinking PVC is a superior product. I have also used ABS. It, too, is a great material for the purpose. It is much lighter in weight, but very durable. I would like to see it become the standard. Pinoke