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Re: automatic watering

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Olin,

At 2:47 PM -0500 10/30/98, "Olin" <millero@worldnet.att.net> wrote:

> I haven't had any leaks at the Spin Lok connection if it is tightened real
> well but you have to be careful not to overtighten because you can turn it
> past the end of the thread.  I used to have some leakage where the 1/4" barb
> connection is inserted into the emitter hole in the 1/2" drip tubing but
> haven't since I now use a 1/8" hole punch.  Makes the 1/4" barb harder to
> insert but makes a tight fitting.  Also leaks somewhat at 25 psi but not at
> the recommended 10 psi.

My leaky fittings were more of the Old Faithful type. :) Your system
seems to be far superior than what I used. It sounds like if someone
had bad experiences with the older tape it might be worth a look at the
newer systems.

> I tried using laser-drilled tubing when it first became available but after
> a few months it became clogged from salt deposits from our irrigation water.
> Probably would work okay if water is purer.

Our city water tends to have calcium deposits. I bought a $15 filter
that has worked well for 3 years. I also seem to recall reading that
some of the newer laser tape/tubing? designs use a turbulent water flow
that deals with clogging.

> The drip irrigation starter
> kits never seem to have the pieces I need in the kits.  I also use some
> in-line emitter tubing in the landscape.

I liked the kit because it had all the pieces and I had no gardening
experience, let alone experience with irrigation. As you mention, the
sales people tend to be less than helpful. Once I got the kit
installed, it was easy enough to figure out what extra things I wanted
on my own. I was also delighted to find out that it was so easy to move
and change things.

> I usually buy the tape and fittings from Dripworks but have also bought from
> Watermiser and Peaceful Valley Farm Supply - all mail order.  It's available
> locally in garden centers but it's kind of expensive and the sales people
> don't really seem to know how to use it.

Our good local nurseries sell drip, but I have had the same experience
as you with the sales people being generally ignorant about the
product. It's also the most expensive place to buy but very handy to
pick up an odd part or two. Their starter kits are priced reasonably,
however.

> Commercial drip irrigation outlets
> don't normally carry it but will order it for you - cotton and vegetable
> growers still irrigate with flood irrigation.

I found a drip distributor under "Sprinklers-Lawn & Garden" in the yellow
pages. They generally don't sell in small quantities but the prices are
good. The Rainbird dealer sells smaller quantities and the prices are
better than the garden centers. Neither stock starter kits. These folks
are used to dealing with contractors/commercial installations and are
most familiar with systems unnecessarily complicated for the average
home gardener.

My friends/family who have installed and used drip have been as
pleasantly surprised as I was at how easy it is to install and how
effectively it works. My plants are living proof that it comes about as
close to stupid-proof watering as it's possible to get. :)

I just want people to know there is no need to be one whit intimidated
about getting started with drip. For me, mulch and drip irrigation have
yielded huge payoffs in terms of the amount of up-front time invested
versus time saved. Also, installing the drip at this time of the year when
people are putting the garden to bed for the winter with mulch is
ideal. It's irritating to do in spring when one is feeling pressured to
get transplants in and seeds sown.

> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: Peggy Enes <peggy@unicom.net>
> Subject: Re: automatic watering
> >
> > .... Does the T-Tape brand fit securely? I bought this
> >stuff three years ago and I have seen mentioned that newer products of
> >this type are much improved.
> >
> > ...I have replaced the 50' of tape with 1/8" laser-drilled tubing. This
> >type of tubing is available locally (3 different brands) with the laser
> >holes 6" or 12" apart. I have seen somewhere that there is tubing with
> >18" and 24" spacing but I haven't checked into it. The 1/8" tubing is
> >easily flexible enough to make circles around perennials or small
> >shrubs.
> > ...
> > ... It seems that nearly all the brands I see offer a starter kit for
> >around $25 that are good values. ...
> >
> > ... I have not ordered from these companies but they might be useful if
> you
> >don't have a local source for drip supplies:
> >     The Drip Store - http://www.dripirrigation.com/
> >     Dripworks http://www.dripworksusa.com/

---
Peggy Enes (peggy@unicom.net)   Zone 5/6    NE KS     AHS Heat Zone 7


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