Auto Irrigation System Install
Well i've been going back and fourth on whether or not I want to set up a sprinkler or drip line system in my raised beds. I really like "working" in them, so if I wasn't even able to water anymore, I'd feel quite bored.
But, I figured it would probably be best for the plants if they were on an automatic watering system, that way it can run early morning before the sun gets up, water can be adjusted easily, and it can be done on a regular consistent basis.
So, I talked myself into setting up a system. We originally installed drip irrigation in my grandparents beds. But after a few years and talking to him, he told me he ripped it out last year and put in sprinklers instead. So, seeing as how he didn't like the drip, I decided I'd go with a sprinkler system too.
So, I came up with a few plans of how I would do it in my head, and then headed to home depot to get the supplies I would need.
So, Since I already have a half inch poly line running in my flower beds for drip irrigations for the bushes and what not, I figured it would be easiest to just tie into that, and bring it over into the beds.
Luckily, one end of the mega L is near the end of the poly line. So the plan was to trench from the flower bed over to the raised bed, and connect to the poly line there.
Here is the existing poly line in the flower beds. (it is the black line in the center of the picture, not near the edge of my grass. That is a lawn edge guard.)
So in the next picture, starting in that back corner is where the line feeds in, then it follows the length of that first bed
Then the sprinklers were put into place, and barbed into the main poly feed line.
Some close ups of the sprinklers spraying
Only needed to run the main line on 1 length of each bed as I could easily barb and T in some of the much smaller poly line that feeds the actual sprinkler.
My sprinkler clock is set to run that zone for 15 minutes. So I let it go for 15 minutes to see how much water it would put down. And it was about perfect! The beauty of it is, if I notice them getting too much water, I can just cut down the watering a few minutes. Or visa versa, add more time.
The sprinklers are 180 degree throw, and fully adjustable output. I was worried that having so many sprinklers on the 1 line (including the other few drip fittings for the rest of the bushes that are on the line) would cause too much pressure loss, but its perfect! Since the sprinklers have a valve to adjust their flow, I was able to dial in each one to the perfect amount so that there was plenty of overlap, and minimal overspray outside of the bed. And I checked the existing fittings on the line, they were all flowing properly too!
I am super glad that I did this. Definitely worth the small $50~ investment and the few hours of time. I did get pretty sunburned on my back though. It was hot so no shirt. We've been having constant 7-9 UVI days here :roll:
-Brandon