I've had drip irrigation in my flower beds for quite a few years and it
has worked well.

An upline filter should prevent clogging, although I suspect that a
soaker hose laying on the ground could pick up some mud.

I prefer using emitters, as you can control the volume of water with
them. I have some larger plants in the middle of a run, and with
emitters I can set the flow at those plants, while still having lower
volume up and downline where I have smaller plants. I even have a cute
little sprayer head where the line passes through my herb garden and I
wanted the spraying to clean the foliage. I also like the capability to
move and change the emitters as my garden changes (they are on small
lines that come off the main line). For instance, when I added a bird
bath, I just added a side line and an emitter that fills the bird bath.

I think the admittedly cheaper soakers have no capacity to control the
flow at specific locations. However, I suspect a soaker would put out
more volume at the first holes, and far less at the last holes. The
soakers seem to me to fail the purpose of a drip irrigation system,
which is to put the water just where you need it, and no where else (as
water becomes more expensive, this becomes an important issue). If I
just wanted to water the whole bed, I could do it with the hose and
sprinklers often used for lawns.

If you decide to go with emitters, I would suggest you start with a
large main line of poly, which is more resistant to cracking than pvc,
and the larger diameter gives you flexibility to add more emitters if
you see the need over time. And a controller is not expensive, and lets
you water at the right time, even if you are away or still in bed.

Scott Hildenbrand wrote:
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.