Drip Irrigation Experiment 3

The second drip irrigation barrel was easier and less expensive to make.

I drilled a 7/8” hole near the bottom and forced an old ¾” hose bib in. It took a lot of force to start turning that hose bib, but once it was in, no leaks, and no need for a washer or even a nut or fitting to hold it in place. The same went for the 2” PVC fitting used as a fill spout. Cutting the hole just slightly too small made for a tight fit and no fitting on the inside to hold it in place.

This bed is not as wide as the other, so I used two emitter pipes rather than four. I drilled 1/16” holes approximately 12” apart. It takes about six hours to empty the 50 gallon barrel, which means, I hope, my irrigator will water our garden plants for six long hot hours each day this summer.

I used a product called “Liquid Tape” to seal the 1/8 inch holes on my first effort, and re-drilled on the other side of the pipe with the 1/16” bit.







Comments

  1. JJSy2January 31, 2016 at 5:04 AM

    How has this system worked and has it been used every year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. F. Michael LaRosaFebruary 7, 2016 at 10:37 AM

      It worked for a couple seasons. We moved the garden, began focusing on mulch, and eventually abandoned the beds and barrels.

      Delete
  2. Rick VFebruary 6, 2016 at 1:06 PM

    How do these barrels get filled with rainwater? I don't see any structure or guttering filling them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. F. Michael LaRosaFebruary 7, 2016 at 10:35 AM

      Hey, Rick. They weren't designed as a rainwater system. They were simply a way to more efficiently water the garden plants.

      Delete
    2. UnknownSeptember 6, 2017 at 3:41 PM

      If it didn't work well enough to continue it, why not take down this pic? It would save other newbies the expense of making it.

      Delete
  3. F. Michael LaRosaSeptember 7, 2017 at 10:40 AM

    These are simply raised beds with a little irrigation system. They worked like raised beds work. We planted in them a couple seasons. Make yours any way you like and use them as long as you please. Take pictures and post them on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 8, 2018 at 12:47 PM

    how long do you assume it would work if you didn't stop using it?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sandy D.March 8, 2021 at 5:41 PM

    Will this work on trees

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sandy D.March 8, 2021 at 5:42 PM

    Will this work on trees

    ReplyDelete
  7. PriyaJune 8, 2021 at 3:33 AM

    A professional drip irrigation system for your garden or nursery requires quality fittings to complete the picture. Install and manage sprinkler systems with drip system tubing and drip fitting. Check our products here.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JeningaDecember 25, 2021 at 12:39 PM

    I'm confused. You drilled a 7/8" hole and had to force a 3/4" hose in? This seems backwards. 3/4" is smaller than 7/8".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 26, 2022 at 10:26 PM

      The outside diameter of a 3/4 garden hose measures slightly over an inch!

      Delete

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