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watering systems
Wes,
What was the name of that easy to put together watering system you were telling me at work? And where did you get it? I can't remember if you said Lowes or Home Depot. -- Rich |
#2
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watering systems
bud wrote: Wes, What was the name of that easy to put together watering system you were telling me at work? And where did you get it? I can't remember if you said Lowes or Home Depot. -- Rich I'm also interested in drip irrigation systems, esp. hooked to rain barrels. Any how-to appreciated, rain barrel or not. |
#3
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watering systems
On 2006-08-27, jan wrote:
bud wrote: Wes, What was the name of that easy to put together watering system you were telling me at work? And where did you get it? I can't remember if you said Lowes or Home Depot. -- Rich I'm also interested in drip irrigation systems, esp. hooked to rain barrels. Any how-to appreciated, rain barrel or not. At Lowes's - HD may have it also. Mister Landscaper is the brand. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio... %20irrigation No tools necessary except for a sharp knife. Well Maybe a large curved jaw set of pliers for the ladies. There is a hole punching tool that you buy to attach the drip lines to the main hose. On Cary water pressure I needed the pressure regulator or else the drip lines will keep blowing off. I like to keep mine plugged when not in use to keep debris out of the line, so I had a lot of male hose ends around since I kept all my repair stuff and had some old hoses. I plug them with goop to make a solid plug. If you get trash in the main pipe it will not go throught the emitters and you will have dickens of a time keeping them dripping. I suppose you could use rain barrels, but I don't know how much higher than the hose they would have to be to work properly. I am doing this to cut my water bill and be more efficient. I started last year doing this and wish I had done it earlier since it is so easy to work with. At first I thought well I will just make one with long enough emitter tubing and that does not work. It is just too unwieldy. Much of mine is on top of the ground, but I will probably cover most of it with mulch and possibly bury it. I don't try to use it on everything. I have 3 expensive Boulevard Cypresses that I am assisting as they have only been in the ground sinc last Sept. Also some shrubs, some Ajuga and lots of Azaleas. I use the adjustable emitters that put out a max of 10 gallons per hour. have them set about half way and run them for an hour or so per week. I bought one of the kits at first, but still have somethings I will never use. THe sprayers were one I used only when I ran out of emitters. They even make goof plugs incase you punch a hole where you did not need it. -- Wes Dukes (wdukes.pobox@com) Swap the . and the @ to email me please. is a garbage address. |
#4
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watering systems
Thanks. I appreciate the info too. The reason I asked about rain barrels is that I found some instructions from the University of Florida for "building" them - if you find a pickle or olive barrel from a store, then the downspout can simply be diverted to the barrel. A hardware store hose bibb can be installed at the bottom. It seems to me that a soaker hose could then be attached to the faucet. Here are the instructions: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/Ho...Rainbarrel.htm "Rain barrels are a great way to reduce water bills and stormwater runoff and to save water for a dry spell. If you have gutters on your house, you may be able to collect 55 gallons of water during a ½ inch rain by directing a downspout to a rain barrel or cistern." My garden and landscaping is downslope of my downspout, although the diagrams have a way for raising the barrel on a little stand to provide elevation, to use gravity to increase water pressure. Perhaps a simple soaker hose would work for my needs, and save me a fair amount of hand watering. I remember my grandmothe had a rain barrel and used the water for washing her hair and favored plants. ;-) Here is another interesting link from the Natural Resouces and Parks division of Kings County: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/rainbarrels.htm with a source of food barrels online, although I think I'd rather ask around for a food-grade plastic barrel and fit it out myself rather than spend on a pricey online number. Finally, I found this general info on a third site: http://www.composters.com/docs/rainbarrels.html "Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free 'soft water' containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Because it tends to have fewer sediments and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropicals like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows. Saving water in this manner will reduce you demand for treated tap water, and save money by lowering your monthly bill. Rain water diversion will also help decrease the burden on water treatment facilities and municipal drainage systems during storms. The storage of rain water is also recommended for general emergency preparedness, or for areas prone to disasters or drought. A good formula to remember: 1 inch of rain on a 1000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water. Calculate the yield of your roof by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and divide by 1000." The site went on to suggest "mosquito donoughts" if the barrel was uncovered (which doesn't seem wise to me in our area.) I'll let you all know how it goes. wrote: On 2006-08-27, jan wrote: bud wrote: Wes, What was the name of that easy to put together watering system you were telling me at work? And where did you get it? I can't remember if you said Lowes or Home Depot. -- Rich I'm also interested in drip irrigation systems, esp. hooked to rain barrels. Any how-to appreciated, rain barrel or not. At Lowes's - HD may have it also. Mister Landscaper is the brand. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio... %20irrigation No tools necessary except for a sharp knife. Well Maybe a large curved jaw set of pliers for the ladies. There is a hole punching tool that you buy to attach the drip lines to the main hose. On Cary water pressure I needed the pressure regulator or else the drip lines will keep blowing off. I like to keep mine plugged when not in use to keep debris out of the line, so I had a lot of male hose ends around since I kept all my repair stuff and had some old hoses. I plug them with goop to make a solid plug. If you get trash in the main pipe it will not go throught the emitters and you will have dickens of a time keeping them dripping. I suppose you could use rain barrels, but I don't know how much higher than the hose they would have to be to work properly. I am doing this to cut my water bill and be more efficient. I started last year doing this and wish I had done it earlier since it is so easy to work with. At first I thought well I will just make one with long enough emitter tubing and that does not work. It is just too unwieldy. Much of mine is on top of the ground, but I will probably cover most of it with mulch and possibly bury it. @www.spam.com is a garbage address. |
#5
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watering systems
Great websites, composters.com is insane!
"jan" wrote in message ups.com... Thanks. I appreciate the info too. The reason I asked about rain barrels is that I found some instructions from the University of Florida for "building" them - if you find a pickle or olive barrel from a store, then the downspout can simply be diverted to the barrel. A hardware store hose bibb can be installed at the bottom. It seems to me that a soaker hose could then be attached to the faucet. Here are the instructions: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/Ho...Rainbarrel.htm "Rain barrels are a great way to reduce water bills and stormwater runoff and to save water for a dry spell. If you have gutters on your house, you may be able to collect 55 gallons of water during a ½ inch rain by directing a downspout to a rain barrel or cistern." My garden and landscaping is downslope of my downspout, although the diagrams have a way for raising the barrel on a little stand to provide elevation, to use gravity to increase water pressure. Perhaps a simple soaker hose would work for my needs, and save me a fair amount of hand watering. I remember my grandmothe had a rain barrel and used the water for washing her hair and favored plants. ;-) Here is another interesting link from the Natural Resouces and Parks division of Kings County: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/rainbarrels.htm with a source of food barrels online, although I think I'd rather ask around for a food-grade plastic barrel and fit it out myself rather than spend on a pricey online number. Finally, I found this general info on a third site: http://www.composters.com/docs/rainbarrels.html "Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free 'soft water' containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Because it tends to have fewer sediments and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropicals like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows. Saving water in this manner will reduce you demand for treated tap water, and save money by lowering your monthly bill. Rain water diversion will also help decrease the burden on water treatment facilities and municipal drainage systems during storms. The storage of rain water is also recommended for general emergency preparedness, or for areas prone to disasters or drought. A good formula to remember: 1 inch of rain on a 1000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water. Calculate the yield of your roof by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and divide by 1000." The site went on to suggest "mosquito donoughts" if the barrel was uncovered (which doesn't seem wise to me in our area.) I'll let you all know how it goes. wrote: On 2006-08-27, jan wrote: bud wrote: Wes, What was the name of that easy to put together watering system you were telling me at work? And where did you get it? I can't remember if you said Lowes or Home Depot. -- Rich I'm also interested in drip irrigation systems, esp. hooked to rain barrels. Any how-to appreciated, rain barrel or not. At Lowes's - HD may have it also. Mister Landscaper is the brand. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio... %20irrigation No tools necessary except for a sharp knife. Well Maybe a large curved jaw set of pliers for the ladies. There is a hole punching tool that you buy to attach the drip lines to the main hose. On Cary water pressure I needed the pressure regulator or else the drip lines will keep blowing off. I like to keep mine plugged when not in use to keep debris out of the line, so I had a lot of male hose ends around since I kept all my repair stuff and had some old hoses. I plug them with goop to make a solid plug. If you get trash in the main pipe it will not go throught the emitters and you will have dickens of a time keeping them dripping. I suppose you could use rain barrels, but I don't know how much higher than the hose they would have to be to work properly. I am doing this to cut my water bill and be more efficient. I started last year doing this and wish I had done it earlier since it is so easy to work with. At first I thought well I will just make one with long enough emitter tubing and that does not work. It is just too unwieldy. Much of mine is on top of the ground, but I will probably cover most of it with mulch and possibly bury it. @www.spam.com is a garbage address. |
#6
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watering systems
On 2006-08-31, jan wrote:
Thanks. I appreciate the info too. The reason I asked about rain barrels is that I found some instructions from the University of Florida for "building" them - if you find a pickle or olive barrel from a store, then the downspout can simply be diverted to the barrel. A hardware store hose bibb can be installed at the bottom. It seems to me that a soaker hose could then be attached to the faucet. Here are the instructions: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/Ho...Rainbarrel.htm "Rain barrels are a great way to reduce water bills and stormwater runoff and to save water for a dry spell. If you have gutters on your house, you may be able to collect 55 gallons of water during a ½ inch rain by directing a downspout to a rain barrel or cistern." My garden and landscaping is downslope of my downspout, although the diagrams have a way for raising the barrel on a little stand to provide elevation, to use gravity to increase water pressure. Perhaps a simple soaker hose would work for my needs, and save me a fair amount of hand watering. I remember my grandmothe had a rain barrel and used the water for washing her hair and favored plants. ;-) Here is another interesting link from the Natural Resouces and Parks division of Kings County: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/rainbarrels.htm with a source of food barrels online, although I think I'd rather ask around for a food-grade plastic barrel and fit it out myself rather than spend on a pricey online number. Finally, I found this general info on a third site: http://www.composters.com/docs/rainbarrels.html "Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free 'soft water' containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Because it tends to have fewer sediments and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropicals like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows. Saving water in this manner will reduce you demand for treated tap water, and save money by lowering your monthly bill. Rain water diversion will also help decrease the burden on water treatment facilities and municipal drainage systems during storms. The storage of rain water is also recommended for general emergency preparedness, or for areas prone to disasters or drought. A good formula to remember: 1 inch of rain on a 1000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water. Calculate the yield of your roof by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and divide by 1000." The site went on to suggest "mosquito donoughts" if the barrel was uncovered (which doesn't seem wise to me in our area.) I'll let you all know how it goes. 55 gallons would be about an inch of water for 100 sqft. YOu may want to price large farm tanks at Agri supply. I know one person who got a 600 gallon tank, piped his gutters to it and screened it with a fence. That would be equivalent to 12 50 gallon barrels so just the faucets alone would be a chunk of change. But I don't know how much you have to water so 55 gallons may be enough for you. Most rain barrels I have seen at garden centers properly outfitted sell for around $100. wrote: On 2006-08-27, jan wrote: bud wrote: Wes, What was the name of that easy to put together watering system you were telling me at work? And where did you get it? I can't remember if you said Lowes or Home Depot. -- Rich I'm also interested in drip irrigation systems, esp. hooked to rain barrels. Any how-to appreciated, rain barrel or not. At Lowes's - HD may have it also. Mister Landscaper is the brand. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio... %20irrigation No tools necessary except for a sharp knife. Well Maybe a large curved jaw set of pliers for the ladies. There is a hole punching tool that you buy to attach the drip lines to the main hose. On Cary water pressure I needed the pressure regulator or else the drip lines will keep blowing off. I like to keep mine plugged when not in use to keep debris out of the line, so I had a lot of male hose ends around since I kept all my repair stuff and had some old hoses. I plug them with goop to make a solid plug. If you get trash in the main pipe it will not go throught the emitters and you will have dickens of a time keeping them dripping. I suppose you could use rain barrels, but I don't know how much higher than the hose they would have to be to work properly. I am doing this to cut my water bill and be more efficient. I started last year doing this and wish I had done it earlier since it is so easy to work with. At first I thought well I will just make one with long enough emitter tubing and that does not work. It is just too unwieldy. Much of mine is on top of the ground, but I will probably cover most of it with mulch and possibly bury it. @www.spam.com is a garbage address. -- Wes Dukes (wdukes.pobox@com) Swap the . and the @ to email me please. is a garbage address. |
#7
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watering systems
if aesthetics matter, some sites sell nice wooden barrels.
http://www.kentuckybarrels.com/wholebarrels.html |
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