You checked out installing a underground sprinkler system on your property. And then stopped short after you realized the thousands of dollars it'd price! How might plastic pipe and sprinkler heads value so a lot of? Here may be a lasting inexpensive water irrigation system that is near maintenance free and can have your neighbors wondering why they never see you watering your garden and plants. You can claim yours to be an environmentally friendly garden soaker system (or water drip system), using the minimum amount of water to sustain your plants and shrubs.
Get the water as close to the plant roots as possible. Using less water is important to our global environment.
Communities currently encourage water soaker systems rather than sprinkler systems. Water applied close to the bottom will principally be absorbed into the earth where it is required by the plant and grass roots. Water sprayed higher than the plants and grass lands on the leaves and flowers before dripping to the ground. This longer exposure to the air can cause much of the sprayed or sprinkled water to evaporate into the hot summer air.
Additional than ever now communities control the watering of lawns and gardens throughout the summer months. Generally you're restricted to garden watering only - not lawns. An automatic water timer system combined with a soaker hose system makes lots of sense in reducing the number of water dispensed to water your garden plants and shrubs.
Therefore how can I create an efficient soaker system for my garden for under $500?
With some off-the-shelf components, you'll be able to have a straightforward however elegant soaker system that with be automatic and close to maintenance free. With a simple water timer system, Y-connectors, faucet multipliers, some one 1/a pair of" ABS pipe, quality one/2" garden hose and your choice of soaker hoses or irrigation hoses for potted or hanging plants, border gardens, row gardens or (dare I say) even lawn sprinklers. You currently have the elements for a easy soaker irrigation system for your garden. each day; specifically, early morning and late afternoon. As an added home security feature, when you are removed from home your garden can sustain its beauty and create it look like someone is at home.
Here is the material list needed for your automatic garden soaker system.
one) Select your water timer - I selected Orbit from Home Depot. Create positive it's a battery timer so power outages will not alter your scheduled watering times. It should enable for at least three watering zones.
2) Choose your main faucet multiplier (or Valve splitter) that will attach to your outside water faucet and can accommodate the three-4 water zones and a spare to allow for normal garden hose watering.
3) Enough one one/a pair of" ABS pipe (and glue) and 22.5 degree elbows to run underground (6" - ten" depth). Use the 22.five degree elbows solely to permit for simple insertion of the garden hose into the ABS pipe. You'll be able to cut any prices by burying the garden hoses directly underground. The ABS piping does offer added protection from accidental puncture from aerators, pitch forks and different garden tools. This ABS pipe can also serve double duty to run low voltage wire or speaker wire to the remote areas of your garden.
4) Enough quality garden hoses to run through the ABS pipe and hook up with the soaker hoses in all your garden beds.
5) Soaker hoses for all your garden beds.
six) Enough Faucet multipliers (Valve splitters) to extend each watering zone with soaker hose as required.
Making your automatic garden soaker system involves a lot of of a landscaping effort than something else. Here are 3 steps to finishing your eco-friendly automatic garden soaker system (Note: sit down with the Picasa image gallery for details of part assembly):
one) Bury the ABS pipe feeding the garden hose through it as you connect and glue the pipe sections. Bury the pipe six"-ten" under your lawn or sidewalk. Have both ends extend out of the bottom using the 22.5 degrees elbows therefore that the stiff hose can still be easily pulled through the pipe.
a pair of) Connect the soaker hoses to the ends of the garden hoses and weave the soaker hoses through your garden under plants and around shrubs. Follow the installation instructions of the soaker hose manufacturer.
3) Install the water timer and water zone valves on the faucet multiplier. Connect the hoses for each zone. Follow the installation directions of the water timer manufacturer. Do not set the water time for every zone more than 20 minutes each. Set 2 water times - early morning (around vi am) and late afternoon (around seven pm).
Maintenance of your Irrigation System and Preparation for Freezing Winter Temperatures:
one) Disconnect the [zone] hoses at the most faucet where the Water Timer is located.
2) Employing a Look Wet Vac, suck the excess water from each zone hose. Use electrical tape to secure the vacuum pipe against the end of the hose. Flip on the wet vac and let it run for ten-15 minutes. Empty the water extracted before repeating this for each hose at the main faucet. You may extract enough water from the hoses so as to not incur any winter damage to your hoses from freezing water.
three) Tape a plastic bag over the ends of every of the [zone] hoses. This will forestall very little critters from getting in the hoses and clogging them when you reconnect the system within the spring.
4) Remove the water timer and faucet multiplier. Store them in an exceedingly heat place where they will not freeze.
five) Note: you DO NOT would like to disconnect and take away the soaker hoses. They should last 4-half-dozen years before you need to exchange them. Check the soaker hoses each spring for holes. You'll be able to patch these holes with high-friction Silicone tape. You'll conjointly leave outdoors all-year-round any valve splitters that were used to increase the soaker hoses in a very explicit water zone.
You currently have an cheap water soaker system that will not break the bank. You have got saved thousands of greenbacks and can boast of being a disciple to our environment. You clearly are doing your half for water conservation and therefore the ecology. Nice going!
Author Resource:-
Dorish Hill has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Gardening, you can also check out his latest website about:
Makita Impact Driver
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.healthandwealth4you.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
