How to Install Drip Irrigation in 6 Steps

Before you start laying out your drip irrigation system, it's important to map out your grid plan. This plan will help you visualize where you need to place hoses, emitters, and feeder lines to cover your entire garden efficiently. 

First, measure your garden and take note of any irregularities, such as corners, slopes, or obstacles. Identify the locations of your plants and mark them on your grid plan. Each plant should be within 1 foot of an emitter. You should also plan the routes for your main hose lines, ensuring they reach all your marked plants. If your garden has slopes or changes in elevation, plan for this in your grid, ensuring that water can flow properly.

Once you have your grid plan in place, it's time to start connecting the hoses. Before connecting any hoses, you need to install a backflow preventer valve to your outdoor faucet. This device prevents contaminated water from flowing back into your main water supply when the outdoor faucet is turned on. 

Next, attach the hose adapter and connect the main hose to the adapter, ensuring a secure connection to prevent leaks. Following your grid plan, lay out the main hose line through your garden, making sure it reaches all the areas you marked for irrigation. Secure the hose in place using stakes or clips to prevent it from shifting or getting damaged.

To navigate corners, obstacles, or changes in direction, you'll need to cut the main hose and install tee connectors. These connectors allow you to branch off in different directions. 

First, use a pipe cutter to make clean and precise cuts in the main hose where you need to install tees. Then, insert tee connectors at the cut points. Secure each tee to the ground with a clamp to prevent movement.

Now that your main hose is in place, it's time to add feeder lines and emitters to deliver water to individual plants. Feeder lines are basically smaller hoses that connect your main hose and deliver water to specific areas of your vegetable garden or flower bed. Emitters are devices that connect the feeder line to the main hose and are also installed on the feeder line to release water directly at the base of each plant.

To install these components, use an emitter tool to punch small holes in the main hose tubing where the feeder lines will connect. Insert emitters into the hose and connect the feeder lines, ensuring a secure fit.

Use your emitter tool again to strategically punch holes in the feeder line tubing where you want to place more emitters. Insert emitters into the holes you created, positioning them near the base of each plant.

To keep water flow within your drip irrigation system, you’ll need to plug up the ends of your hose lines that are not used for watering. This prevents water from escaping at the ends and directs it to the plants instead. Secure the ends of unused lines with clamps or plugs designed for drip irrigation systems.

To maximize the efficiency of your drip irrigation system, use a layer of mulch. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, prevents water evaporation, and keeps the system concealed for a neat appearance in your garden.

Spread a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw, over the tubing and around your plants. Be sure not to bury the emitters, as they need direct access to the soil.