Irrigation
About Drip Irrigation
Getting Started
Emitters
Hose and watering FAQs
About Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is the best way to
water landscaping, garden and vegetable plots. You can even water hanging
baskets and container gardens.
Save water
Drip watering puts just the right amount of water exactly where you want it so
you don’t waste water.
Less weeding
If you’re watering less ground, there are fewer places for weeds to grow.
Use in conjunction with WeedBlock for even less weeding and more water
conservation.
Timed watering
You can water at the best time of day and while you’re on vacation.
Less labor / save time
Don’t drag a hose around your garden and stand there watering - set up a drip
system.
Retrofit sprinklers
Set up a system from scratch or retrofit your in-ground sprinkler system with
Quadra-Bubblers which screw into sprinkler risers.
We can help!
We've got experience people who are here to help you with any part of your
watering project. Just come in and ask.
Getting Started
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Here is a picture of a starter
assembly. "A" is a filter that strains impurities out of water that can
clog emitters. It opens so you can flush it out with a hose. "B" is
a pressure regulator that keeps water pressure at a steady 20 psi so emitters
will work properly. "C" is an anti-siphon valve that prevents water from
being sucked back into your home. It is connected to a hose, hose saver or
timer on the right side of the photo, and 1/2" distribution tubing on the left
side. Now you're ready to build your system.
The 'bones' of the drip system are the
tubing and connectors
you need to move water around the garden. 1/2" distribution tubing moves
the water close, and then you can use 1/4" tubing to branch off of that.
You can punch some emitters directly into 1/2" tubing as well.
Emitters
are made for every purpose.
Drippers
drip water directly where they are placed. You can choose an emitter to
drip 1/2" gallon per hour, 1 gph or 2 gph, depending on the need of the plant.
Some have a 'turbo' action so the water won't bore a hole in the ground.
Bubblers
cover a little more area than drippers and some can be adjusted as to flow.
Sprayers
spray in a pattern - from circle to end strip and all patterns in between.
You pair them with a base that distributes the desired amount of water. So
if you need a quarter circle that will spray 7 gallons per hour, you can have
it.
 Mini
sprinklers are just what they sound like - some
are adjustable as to size of circle.
We make up some sprayer and
sprinkler assemblies you can buy that include the stake, tubing, connectors and
emitters. Just stake them into the ground and hook them to your 1/2"
tubing.
There are emitters for containers,
hanging baskets and vines. If you are working on a hillside, there are pressure
compensating emitters that get the water where it is needed. If you have a
specific watering need, we probably have an emitter that will work for you.
Timers
are what make a drip system so sweet. They don't 'forget' , they water
when they should, and they water while you're away. There are a lot of
timers from which to choose, from simple shut-offs to ones with many cycles and
programs.
If
you already have an in-ground sprinkler system that you want to retrofit, Quadra Bubblers
are what you need. They screw into risers and then you run
1/4" tubing off of them. Bubblers are available in 2, 6, 10, and 20 gallons
per hour models. Filters and pressure regulators are unnecessary with
these.
Click here
for good info from Aquarius Brands about setting up drip systems. |
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Irrigation FAQs
I have a good hose but it has a small break in
the middle. Can I patch this?
Cut out the bad section and connect the
two lengths with a hose mender. Simply slide on the compression fitting and
screw on the connector. There are also replacement male and female hose couplers
that can replace damaged ends. The plastic ones are easier to use. If you’d
like nice brass ones, bring in your hose and we will put new ends on it for you.
Which is better, rubber or vinyl hose?
Rubber hose will last longer and will not
kink as easily. However, it is heavier and more cumbersome to handle.
I notice there is quite a price range in hoses.
What do I get for my money?
The less expensive hose is not reinforced.
Medium-priced hoses are usually 5/8" and have some reinforcement in the walls.
Higher-priced hoses have more reinforcement and are usually made with rubber.
Our best hose is also a great value! The
Flexogen hose is guaranteed for the rest of your life. We sell hundreds of them
each year to people who are just plain tired of dealing with kinks, dribbles,
drips and spray.
Superior hoses are composed of several
layers of materials. The more complex the combination of layers to more
expensive the product is and it follows that the hose is better. Be informed.
Read the hose packaging and check to see if it is one you will be as happy with
at the end of the summer as you are now. Hang your hose between uses. It not
only neatens your yard but an uncoiled hose can damage a lawn, is a trip hazard
and can be devoured by a hungry lawn mower.
When is the best time of day to water?
Some people mistakenly believe that
daytime watering can burn their grass, but the best time to water is actually
from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. If that is not possible then morning or early evening.
Is there a sprinkler that I can restrict to a
small rectangular area between two buildings?
Yes, an oscillating sprinkler can be set
so that it will direct water to a specific area. There are also pattern
sprinklers.
What is an impulse sprinkler and what are its
advantages?
It will water a large area with minimum
evaporation.
I have a large area to water, but I don't want to
be bothered with moving the sprinkler.
Use a traveling sprinkler, it moves under
its own power along a track of hose and has an automatic shutoff feature.
What is a soaker hose?
It is a hose that is blocked at the end
and moisture seeps through its walls. It can be weaved through a garden to
provide water directly onto the soil.
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