Low Volume Irrigation

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1 What you will learn today Low Volume Irrigation by Angela Chandler Growing a healthy garden with less water, less waste, less time Basics of the system Materials Design principles Maintenance & repair We will encourage you to go home and experiment 1 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 2 What is LVI? Why do we call it LVI? Distributes a measured amount of water over a specific length of time Delivers water right to root zone of plants Known by many names Trickle irrigation Drip irrigation Micro-irrigation Micro-misting Low-pressure irrigation Low Volume reinforces the idea that we are: Reducing water waste Saving money Putting fewer contaminants into the watershed Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 3 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 4 Why should we use it? Where can I find it? Economically and environmentally beneficial Saves water Saves time Promotes plant health Reduces runoff Even organic chemicals need to stay in your yard! Saves your money and your time Prevents storm water contamination Home improvements store Specialty irrigation supplies Internet Names to look for: DIG Corp Netafim Mister Landscaper Rainbird Toro Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 5 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 6

2 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 7 Where should I use it? Not designed for lawns All landscape beds Containers Vegetable and orchard rows Propagation areas Greenhouse & home nursery What s wrong with what I do now? OK, so what you do is working, but what if there IS a better way?? Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 8 Rainfall Hose watering Rain is the best water plants can get Nitrogen is picked up by falling rain Rain cannot be regulated Houston rain is sufficient in quantity Houston rain is irregular in dispersal All other watering should be considered life support but it is necessary Relaxing Wasteful Hard to regulate Runoff LVI turn it on, go about your business, turn it off (or better yet, use a timer) Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 9 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 10 Soaker hoses In-ground sprinklers Water guzzlers Runs must be closely spaced Uneven soaking pattern Long run times Difficult to remodel LVI Even distribution, short run times, easily remodeled Disperse water in GPM Runoff Not easily installed by homeowner Damaging to existing landscape, tree roots Not easily remodeled Great for lawns, not for beds, containers, veggies, trees More costly to install and maintain Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 11 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 12

3 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 13 LVI Comparison to In-ground sprinklers LVI water dispersed in GPH (not GPM) Does not require trenching Does not damage existing landscape, tree roots Easily installed by homeowner Easily repaired and can be remodeled infinitely The Mickler Project Louis Mickler did a personal residential water usage review in 2005 Hobby propagator home nursery Vegetable & fruits Previous irrigation method 3 impact sprinklers Water use gallons/hour Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 15 The Mickler Project The Mickler Project Plant Tomatoes Peppers Blackberries Eggplant Peas Lettuce Nursery Landscape Beds Total Load Emitter Button Drippers Button Drippers Button Drippers ¼ Emitter Tubing ¼ Emitter Tubing ¼ Emitter Tubing Microsprinklers ½ Emitter Tubing Load/GPH Water savings Previous In-ground water usage = 594 gallons Current LVI water usage = 57 gallons Difference = 537 gallons Usage is roughly 10 times less that s 1000%! Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 16 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 17 The Mickler Project Mickler Vegetable Garden Other benefits GPH vs GPM Water is soaking into root zone Not contributing to contaminated run-off Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 18

4 Mickler Home Nursery Mickler Berry Bed Mickler inline at lettuce Mickler Button at pepper Where do I start? The Main Line Pick up design manuals they are free Learn the components and how they work Start with a small project Graduate to larger projects, whole yard zoning Take time to design for your specific plants and gardening style Let s s learn the components ½ Poly-Pipe (header) Hose End Fitting Figure 8 End Closure These components make up the main distribution line Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 24 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 25

5 Main line components Emitter connections ¼ Feeder Tubing Double Barbed Connectors Goof Plugs These components connect emitters to the main line Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 27 Emitter connections Emitters Strip or tube type emitters: ¼ Porous tubing ¼ Laser-drilled tubing ½ or ¼ Emitter tubing (emitters installed in tubing) Button drippers Flag drippers In-line emitters Micro-spray emitters Spray stakes, shrubblers, rose stakes Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 29 Tubing type emitters Tubing type emitters

6 Tubing type emitters Button drippers Button drippers Flag drippers In-line emitters Micro-sprinklers

7 Micro-sprinklers Micro-sprinklers This type has threads, not barbs Spray stakes Accessories Backflow device Pressure regulators Filters Timers Hold downs (or recycled laundry hangers) T s, 90 s, couplings Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 41 Accessories Accessories Tee s, 90 s and couplings come in compression and barbed

Circuit A line of LVI within a zone; a zone may contain more than one circuit Design Make a rough sketch of your yard Locate your hose bibs on your sketch Put in as much detail as you think you will

8 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 44 Tools Punch Tools Scissors Punch tool Wire cutters (if you are recycling hangers) Terms we will use Yard Total area to be irrigated Zone Single bed, feature, or garden area Circuit A line of LVI within a zone; a zone may contain more than one circuit Design Make a rough sketch of your yard Locate your hose bibs on your sketch Put in as much detail as you think you will need to plan your project Sidewalks Driveways Out buildings Note the rough dimensions this can be paced off or measured Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 46 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 47 Begin with a sketch Design Break yard or garden into zones List plants growing in each zone Note water needs for each plant Make a list of emitters required Type and flow rate (found on package) Do not combine micro-sprayers & drippers on same circuit Micro-sprayers have higher flow rate and require shorter run time Distribution will be inadequate at drippers or you will over water at micro-sprayers Total the GPH the zone will require Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 48 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 49

9 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 50 Zones have been identified How many circuits? If the total GPH for your zone exceeds 200, break your zone into circuits For each circuit Do not exceed 200 GPH Do not exceed 200 of ½ poly-pipe Some manufacturers may have emitters that can exceed this, but this is a good standard guideline Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 51 Design the zone Locate nearest hose bib If near, start from hose bib If too far away, start line at closest point to hose access Sketch in main line for each circuit Sketch in largest plants in the zone Include sweeps of annuals, bedding plants, or groundcover You now have the data you need to determine your materials A few design cautions Pressure loss can be avoided 90 s and T-fittings should be minimized Try to design loose curves of poly-pipe Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 52 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 53 Design the zone Measure or pace off the length your main line(s) This determines your poly-pipe LF Design tips: Poly-pipe can be hidden under mulch or tucked behind your border plants or materials Maintenance is easiest if poly-pipe is accessible from walkways Design the zone Measure or pace off the distance from each feature plant back to the main line This determines your ¼ feeder tubing LF Allow 30% - 50% more tubing than required Design tip: Allow sufficient feeder tubing to include a loose S-loop between the plant and the main line to make future changes or repairs easier Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 54 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 55

10 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 56 Decide about accessories Make a material list Backflow device A must-have! Pressure regulators Most important with drippers Filters Saves maintenance time Timers Makes the whole process a breeze Hold downs (or recycled laundry hangers) Using the handout as a checklist, and your sketch as a go-by, list all materials needed to complete your design Take your sketch, material list, and emitter list to purchase the supplies Be sure to include (1) hose end fitting and (1) Fig-8 end closure for each circuit Consider a plastic tool box for your tools, extras and maintenance supplies Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 57 A word about kits Getting ready to install Good for skittish beginners Will have design manual, basic components, punch tool Will have extras you will never use More costly than separate components Use a kit if you are unsure, and need a simple start to build confidence You will outgrow the kit in 30 minutes Unroll the ½ poly-pipe and let it relax in the sun Gather tools and supplies Sort out emitters and other components Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 58 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 59 Starting from hose bib Starting from hose bib Single circuit in zone: Backflow device Timer Pressure regulator Filter Hose end fitting ½ poly-pipe Figure-8 closure Multiple circuits in zone: Backflow device Timer Manifold (2 or more hose bib connections) Pressure regulator Filter Hose end fitting ½ poly-pipe Figure-8 closure Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 60 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 61

11 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 62 Starting from circuit Multiple zones Hose end fitting ½ poly-pipe Figure-8 closure Back at the hose bib: Backflow device Pressure regulator Filter Assumes no timer and manual connection Can be run off of one hose bib Don t run all zones at the same time Circuits within a zone may be run at the same time Requires installation of a manifold Timer for each zone Electric controller (timer) may be advisable Pressure regulators, filters, etc required for each circuit Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 63 Options Virtually any situation can be accommodated Good design Careful planning Experimentation Reasonable expectations Complete main line Now that the hose end is installed: Layout poly-pipe according to your design sketch Use hold downs if required Walk the line to make sure it is laid out to your satisfaction Trim final end, leaving a little extra length Slide Fig-8 onto end, but leave open Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 64 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 65 Install emitters Emitter line to main line Work from plant back to main line Attach emitter to one end of feeder tubing Place emitter at base of plant Run feeder tubing back to main line Leave an S-loop of tubing Cut feeder tubing Attach one end of double-barbed connector to feeder tubing Punch hole in main line with punch tool Snap double-barbed connector into main line Repeat until circuit is complete Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 66

12 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 68 Flush and test Maintenance & Repair Turn on the water Run until clear water runs out of end of main line Close Fig-8, trimming poly-pipe if needed Check each emitter to make sure it is working correctly Make adjustments if required Your system is now ready to go Winterizing Not usually necessary System self drains Open Fig-8 if you are concerned Emitters Clean clogged emitters CLR or vinegar & water Replace damaged emitters Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 69 Maintenance & Repair Remodeling Damaged poly-pipe Cut out damaged section Replace with new section that has a coupling at each end Damaged feeder tubing Cut out damaged section Replace with new section that has double barbed connector at each end Replace that section of line System is infinitely changeable Remove any connection to the main line and plug with goof plug Add emitters as plants mature Raise spray stakes with extensions Use adjustable emitters Rose stakes (1-10 GPH adjustable) Spray stakes with ¼ valves Add ¼ valves to feeder tubing line Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 70 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 71 To bury or not to bury? Tips & Tricks Components are manufactured with UV protectants UV can penetrate approx 6 into soils System disappears into landscape view Covering is aesthetic only Install before mulching Gently rock into existing mulch Punch holes in top or side of poly-pipe when connecting feeder tubing Access is easier now and later Be consistent After system is tested, roll into flat position before covering Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 72 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 73

13 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 74 Tips & Tricks Tips & Tricks If manually connecting circuits, use quick disconnects on hose and hose end fittings Makes moving hoses a snap! Use rose stakes (adjustable drippers) on all shrubs Can be adjusted up as plant matures Can be adjusted up and down with seasons Special use emitters can make for creative irrigation: Foggers in greenhouse or tropicals Misters to cool patios/pet areas Intermittent misting for propagation Drippers in bird baths or habitat stations Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 75 FAQ s FAQ s How do I know what emitter to select? Handout has a list of common landscape plants and appropriate emitters Design manuals Internet Experience and experimentation What do I do about a slope? Use more emitters, but lower flow rates Allows water to soak in before it runs off Can I fertilize at the same time? Simple DIY systems In-line feeders Venturi-type feeders Commercial fertilizer injection systems My drippers blow off the ends of the feeder tubing Lower your pressure Buy smaller ID feeder tubing (black) Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 76 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 77 FAQ s FAQ s Can I mix and match manufacturer s components? To a large extent, emitters can be mixed and matched Be more cautious with poly-pipe and feeder tubing Adapter fittings are manufactured I have existing in-ground irrigation, what can I do? Retrofit components are readily available Locate a riser close to a zone Replace pop-up with retrofit fitting Connect emitter to feeder tubing, run feeder tubing to retrofit fitting and connect Circuit will be watered for length of time on inground controller Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 78 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 79

14 Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 80 FAQ s Any Questions? Can I use LVI with my rain barrel? YES! Some specific modifications must be made Sign up for our Spring Workshop on Rainwater Harvesting Feel free to contact me at: fortangela@gmail.com or angelac@treesearchfarms.net Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 81 References Dig Corporation Mister Landscaper The Drip Store Special thanks to Louis Mickler for sharing his backyard research project Version 1.0 Low Volume Irrigation 82

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