An irrigation system is an integral part of a low maintenance garden. Instead of being a slave to your garden, you can set up systems to water your lawn, flowerbeds, vegies and even your pots. You can put each one on a timer, so you won’t even have to remember to turn them on!
Easy to install
Installing an irrigation system is very straightforward. Don showed how to assemble a simple system using black polythene or poly pipe. Poly pipe can be laid above ground, but for best results dig a narrow trench and lay it below ground. Insert fittings, including couplers, adaptors, elbows and tees, are easily pushed together by hand and locked in place with ratchet clips. Supports for the irrigation heads (either risers or spaghetti tubing) are then inserted into the poly pipe using a hole punch. (Tip: it is worth paying extra money for a good quality hole punch.) A filter unit will help keep the line and irrigation heads free of dirt and insects, and a timer can be fitted to turn the system on and off
Watering pots
Attach some spaghetti tube to the main poly pipe. Thread the spaghetti tube through a hole in the base of the empty pot, then up through the middle of the pot. Pot the plant, using a good quality potting mix, then connect the spray head to the top of the spaghetti tube. (Tip: use a large diameter spray head that won’t clog up, rather than a fine misting jet.)
Foolproof system
If you have a long line of plants to irrigate and the spray heads get clogged up, it can be a real nuisance removing them and trying to unblock each one with a pin. Don showed a line of trees along a driveway being watered very effectively without using any spray heads at all! The system consists of a main line with spaghetti tubes running to each plant. On top of each spaghetti tube a small valve controls the flow of water. The main tap can be turned on and off by hand, or by a mechanical timer.
This system is cheap, easy and almost foolproof. Blockages are quickly and easily cleared by simply opening the valves, and problems with water flow are so obvious you can spot them driving past in a car! This saves you having to continually walk the length of the line checking the system.
Cost
Black poly tube $9-$15 for 25 metres
Joiners 50-70 cents Ratchet clamp 23-27 cents Poly risers 50 cents – $1.95 Hole punch $5.95 Irrigation heads $2-$40 Filter units Filter units Battery tap timers $40-$200
All are available at irrigation stores or hardware stores.