In article ,
"SteveB" meagain@rockvilleUSA wrote:
"Scott Hildenbrand" wrote in message
. ..
SteveB wrote:
"Scott Hildenbrand" wrote in message
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Ok.. After the feedback on the bed prep I'd decided to cut back greatly
on how much I'm putting down and to just layer in some good peat and
manure before I till it all in after the initial kill off with CLEAR
plastic.
Now.. Moving on, what are your opinions on these drip irrigation
methods.
1.) 1/2" Drip Tape with emitters welded to it on 12" Spacing.
At around $47 for 500', it's a good price but I'm wondering about the
emitters clogging over time.. Hmmm..
2. ) 1/4" Drilled Soaker Hose with holes at 6" Spacing
A little more, at $56 for 500' but no emitters. Just holes in the tube
to allow water flow. Might be less worry about clogging up.
3.) 1/2" PC Drip Line, hole spacing 12", 18" or 24" - Closer = More $$$
Freakin expensive. At $124 for 500' it's too much for my taste.. I'm
sure it lasts for years and years though but not worth it IMO.
I'm leaning to the #2 option as it's cheap, doesn't require much to set
up and uses holes instead of micro emitters that may clog easier.
At any rate, I want to test drip irrigation out on the garden first and
then if satisfied expand to include the various flower beds around the
house.
Looking forward to your opinions as always. 
Lemme give you the short version:
I have fooled with these things for about five years. Two years in, we
xeriscaped. That is where you take out lawn, and the Water Department
pays you a flat $2 per square foot. You then have to replace it with
plants that they approve, and with a system that they approve.
In that system, there must be a filter of a particular style, and MOST
IMPORTANTLY, pressure reducers. These lower the blast of water hitting
these little pipes when the solenoid goes from full closed to full open
in 1/10 second. I thought it was a bunch of hooey, but after we put them
in, I had far less geysers than before. Far fewer popped plugs, lines,
everything.
I think there may be some difference in quality of materials, thus a
difference in cost. But, one can shop and compare, and then buy at the
lower costs, just try to avoid really El Cheapo stuff. You get what you
pay for, and it really does save money in the long run to do it right
from the beginning rather than several versions, all with lots of left
over hose and widgets.
It is difficult to advise you. You seem to want to use the soaker
variety rather than just put in lines with a head at each plant. Those
are Tinker Toy simple to do, and to change later, and give you water only
where you want it instead of all over. I never really liked the soaker
hose a lot.
Steve
Oh I can't stand the full on soakers that are made out of tires. Water
goes everywhere even when not needed.
The hose I'm looking at has holes pre done on 12" increments but can be
punched to allow closer spacing.
I really don't see much need to do the individual emitters and tubing when
all that's going in the garden are rows of plants that will for the most
part all be 12" apart or so, which makes the #1 choice above a dandy one.
I think the #2 option I can get at 12" per hole, will need to check again.
Now, for if/when I do the landscape with drip, I'll be looking at a more
specific system to install where I can pinpoint not only where the water
is, but vary the amount of water on a per emitter basis.
Oh, know about the filters and pressure regulator too.. I'll be running
at 15PSI fixed, or maybe an adjustable regulator if it seems worth it.
All in all though, you feel that it's worth while to do a drip system?
Yes. If you do it right, and keep an eye on it. If it is running
correctly, and the timer is set correctly you will use far less water. You
may still want to mulch around plants and trees to cut down on surface
evaporation which gives you faster mineral buildup.
Steve
You can get 3/4" feeder hose, plastic drip line (1 1/2 gallon/hour
emitter per 12" or 8"), pressure reducer and filter which you put
together like tinker toys for around $100. I'm in my 5th year with mine
and only need to do occasional maintenance because of my "hounds from
hell". I turn mine on when I get my paper in the morning and turn t off
when I go to work. Even easier, you can get a timer.
--
Billy
Bush, Cheney & Pelosi, Behind Bars
http://rachelcorriefoundation.org/site/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movemen...George_W._Bush