How To Install A Drip Irrigation System For Vegetable Gardens

This tutorial illustrates common configurations for setting up a Drip Irrigation System for Vegetable Gardens and small Row Crops.  These illustrations use Soaker Hose Dripline and Individual Emitters and Drippers.  This configuration is common for smaller vegetable gardens.  For larger Vegetable Garden Applications Drip Tape is often used.

1. Installing Drip Irrigation Systems Using 1/2" Soaker Hose Dripline (Medium Sized Vegetable Gardens)
2. Installing Drip Irrigation Systems Using 1/4" Soaker Hose Dripline (Small Vegetable Gardens)
3. Installing Drip Irrigation For Individual Vegetable Plants
4. 12mm Techline EZ with Mid Lateral Connection

Installing Drip Irrigation Systems Using 1/2" Soaker Hose Dripline (Medium Sized Vegetable Gardens)

Instructions:

1. Assemble Water Source Connection
2. Lay out solid drip tubing around perimeter. Use Direct Lock Fittings to turn corners, and change direction. If using Series 940 Tubing use ¾” Fittings. Secure solid tubing using either stakes (TLS6), or clips (DD-MC700B for ½” Tubing) as desired.
3. Install an end cap (DL-EC600) at the end of the solid tubing or continue solid drip tubing to other garden areas.
4. Cut Solid Tubing and insert DL-T600 Fittings at the top of each planting row. Secure with TLS6
5. Layout ½” Soaker Hose Dripline and install End Caps or DD-F8 at the end of each planting row.

Installing Drip Irrigation Systems Using 1/4" Soaker Hose Dripline (Small Vegetable Gardens)

Instructions:

1. Assemble Water Source Connection
2. Lay out solid drip tubing around perimeter. Use Direct Lock Fittings to turn corners, and change direction. If using Series 940 Tubing use ¾” Fittings. Secure solid tubing using either stakes (TLS6), or clips (DD-MC700B for ½” Tubing) as desired.
3. Install an end cap (DL-EC600) at the end of the solid tubing or continue solid drip tubing to other garden areas.
4. Using a 1/4" Hole Punch insert DD-C250 fittings into the solid tubing and attach the 1/4" Soaker Hose Dripline. Use DD-S2 Stakes to secure line and cap the end of each run using a Goof Plug (DD-GP).

Installing Drip Irrigation For Individual Vegetable Plants

In addition to Soaker Hose Dripline, vegetable plants can also be watered individually with Drippers and Emitters. If you already have a soaker hose drip system in place you can tap into the existing solid distribution line to water individual plants or continue with an existing drip system.  

There are various options when it comes to watering plants individually. Drip Emitters are the most efficient option in terms of water usage but cover less surface area and have less watering patterns. Whereas, options like the DD-SR360S cover a much larger area and have a wider and more versatile watering pattern which ultimately means it "wastes" more water. 

Drip Emitter Layout

Instructions:

1. Assemble Water Source Connection
2. Lay out solid drip tubing around perimeter. Use Direct Lock Fittings to turn corners, and change direction. If using Series 940 Tubing use ¾” Fittings. Secure solid tubing using either stakes (TLS6), or clips (DD-MC700B for ½” Tubing) as desired.
3. Install an end cap (DL-EC600) at the end of the solid tubing or continue solid drip tubing to other garden areas.
4. Using a 1/4" Hole Punch insert DD-C250 fittings into the solid tubing and attach the 1/4" MicroTubing. Use DD-S2 Stakes to secure line and attach drip emitters at the end of the run for the individual plants.

A variety of emitters and drippers can be used for watering vegetables.

Consult our Dripper Comparison Chart for guidance.

DD-SR360S Layout

Instructions:

1. Assemble Water Source Connection
2. Lay out solid drip tubing around perimeter. Use Direct Lock Fittings to turn corners, and change direction. If using Series 940 Tubing use ¾” Fittings. Secure solid tubing using either stakes (TLS6), or clips (DD-MC700B for ½” Tubing) as desired.
3. Install an end cap (DL-EC600) at the end of the solid tubing or continue solid drip tubing to other garden areas.
4. Using a 1/4" Hole Punch insert DD-C250 fittings into the solid tubing and attach the 1/4" MicroTubing. Attach the other end of the MicroTubing to the DD-SR360S. It is a 5.25" stake with an adjustable bubbler on top that has a 360 degree spray pattern. This allows you to have adjustable areas of full circle spray patterns.

12mm Techline EZ with Mid Lateral Connection

There are a variety of ways to connect Drip Emitter Tubing and Solid Drip Tubing to Distribution Lines. In this example we will be looking at using 3/4" distribution lines and kwik tap saddles to connect to 12mm Techline EZ. For alternate sizing/methods please click here.

Instructions:

1. Assemble Water Source Connection
2. Lay out solid drip tubing around perimeter. Use Direct Lock Fittings to turn corners, and change direction. If using Series 940 Tubing use ¾” Fittings. Secure solid tubing using either stakes (TLS6), or clips (DD-MC700B for ½” Tubing) as desired.
3. Install an end cap (DL-EC600) at the end of the solid tubing or continue solid drip tubing to other garden areas.
4. Cut Solid Tubing and insert DIG 24-065 and T12075MA Fittings at the top of each planting row. For alternate sizing/methods please click here.
5. Layout 12mm Techline EZ and install End Closures (T12F8) at the end of each planting row.

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