A drip irrigation system can be more efficient than a watering can.
Providing plants in your garden or flower bed with water is critical to keeping them alive and thriving, especially on hot, dry summer days. There are several ways to water the plants. You can use a watering can or bucket and water them by hand, but this process can be long and tiring, especially for larger gardens. A sprinkler saves you the trouble of hauling water around but can waste water by spraying it all over the garden before moving it to a different location. A third option is to set up a drip irrigation system, which applies water directly to the soil and doesn't have to be moved. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dig a 6-inch deep trench between the outdoor spigot and corner of the garden closest to the spigot.
2. Place a garden hose in the trench and cover it with dirt. Position the hose so it can reach the spigot.
3. Screw a back-flow prevention valve to the spigot then connect the hose to the valve. This prevents contaminated water from flowing back through the hose and tainting the water in your house.
4. Attach 1/2-inch drip tubing to the hose in the garden and place it on the ground along the first row of plants.
5. Wrap the drip tubing around the plants at the end of the row then lay it down along the next row of plants. Place it close to the plants but at least a foot away from the tubing in the first row to prevent over-watering.
6. Continue to lay tubing throughout the garden with this technique until the garden is completely covered. Cut the end of the tubing with a utility knife.
7. Secure the tubing with plastic ground stakes every few feet but leave the holes in the tubing clear.
8. Flush the tubing by turning the spigot on. Allow water to flow through the tubing for a few minutes then turn the spigot off.
9. Block the end of the tubing by folding it over and wrapping electrical tape around the tubing. Turn the water on and check for leaks.
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