Irrigation FAQ’s
*We do not design custom systems. We can help point you in the right direction, but we cannot tell you what you need. Please use the resources provided in the PDF section to help determine which products are right for you.
Drip Tape Irrigation Systems:
I need a way to water my garden, what do you recommend?
We offer three predesigned drip tape irrigation kits. The Junior Master Gardeners Kit is a complete kit made to water up to 10 rows 50 ft long. The Master Gardener's Kit is a complete irrigation kit made to water up to 20 rows 50 ft long. The Truck Farmer's Garden Kit is a complete kit made to water up to 40 rows 50 ft long.
How do I put together my Drip Kit?
Click here to watch this slide show to learn how to put together your Drip Kit.
My poly-tube has kinks in it, what do I do?
If your poly-tube is having trouble relaxing to get kinks and curves out, just lay it out in the sun for 15-30 minutes and as the poly tube heats up the kinks will release and lay flat.
My garden is on a slope. Will an irrigation system work for me?
Possibly, is water running uphill or downhill? Is it gravity fed? Do you have a pump? How many rows will you be watering, and how long are they? These are all questions you will need to consider when your garden is on a slope.
Will gravity-fed water work with your irrigation systems?
In most cases, gravity-fed systems do not have enough pressure to properly push the water through the mainline and drip tape. You will need to purchase a pump to help propel the water. We do not sell pumps.
What size supply line should I be using?
Your supply line needs to be sized to the amount of water available and usage within the system. ½" tubing is sufficient for most uses and can carry 240 gallons per hour (GPH). If a watering zone requires more than 240 gph, use ¾" or larger tubing.
Can I use a siphon mixer with one of your gardener kits?
No, siphon mixers are a full flow item and cannot have excessive backpressure.
What do I need to fertilize with your gardener kits?
You will either need to purchase a Best Garden Hose End Sprayer (code: miraclegro) or Chemilizer Fixed Rate Fertilizer Injector 1:100 (code: chemilizer)
Do I need a filter?
We recommend using a filter, especially if you are using a water source other than city water.
What does a filter do?
A filter removes debris from water that could potentially clog the system.
What if I put a hole in the wrong place?
We sell goof plugs for when you make a mistake! (Code: MP-1GoofPlugs or MP-400)
Can I add a timer to the system?
Yes, you can absolutely add a timer to the system!
What kind of timer do you recommend?
It will depend on how much money you are looking to spend and how automated you would like to make the system. Note: We do not sell timers for our gardener kits. We do sell mist controllers, but they are not compatible.
If some of my plants have produced and I no longer need to send water to that row, is there a way to stop the water flow to that area without affecting the remaining rows?
We offer shutoff valves, code: 250BV-06-LS, where you can stop the flow of water to single rows of drip tape, and we also sell greenback valves to stop the flow of water to polytube.
Do I need to be concerned with my water pressure?
Yes, you always need to use the appropriately sized pressure regulator for both pressure and volume.
Does it matter which direction the pressure regulator is installed?
Yes, water must flow through a regulator in one direction, as indicated by flow direction arrows.
Do I have to use a pressure regulator in a drip system?
Yes, if the pressure is not regulated and it is too high, there is the chance that the drip tape will burst. Most drip tape will need to operate at 15PSI or less.
How much water will drip from a watering system?
Each system is different. For example, our gardener systems drip 0.30 gallons per hour per dripper at 10 PSI. Therefore a row 100’ long with our 12” spaced drip tape: 0.3 GPH x 100 = 30 GPH. If you are using button drippers, for example, ½ GPH emitters at a 12” spacing for a 100’ run: ½ GPH x 100 = 50 GPH.
Drip Tape:
How often do I have to replace drip tape?
A reasonable estimate will be about every 2-3 years. As long as it is picked up and stored with no residual water remaining, it will extend the lifespan to get several growing seasons out of it.
What is the difference between 8 mil and 15 mil drip tape?
The main difference between the 8 mil and 15 mil drip tape is the thickness. We recommend using the 15mil when you will be running it with machinery over long distances.
What is the emitter spacing on your drip tape?
Our drip tape has a 12” emitter spacing. We do not offer anything other than the 12” spacing.
Do the drip holes have to line up with the plant?
No, they do not have to line up.
My drip tape burst. What’s wrong?
When drip tape busts, there are a couple of things that could be causing the problem. First, it can be a sign that the water pressure is too high. Drip tape failure occurs when you do not have a pressure regulator on your system, or your pressure regulator is not functioning correctly. Another issue that you can run into is rodents and animals can and will damage irrigation systems. Look for signs of where an animal may have chewed on the drip tape.
Can Drip Tape be stored for reuse the following season?
Yes, make sure there is no standing water in the line and try to make sure there are no kinks. Kinks create a point of weakness in Drip Tape where a leak can occur. If leaks do occur, they can be repaired using a coupler. *Note: Seal off both ends of your Drip Tape runs before storing to prevent dirt and insect intrusion.
Which way should the drip tape lay?
Always lay the drip tape with the emitters facing up. Doing so will help to keep dirt out of the emitters.
Why use drip tape instead of a soaker hose?
You have more control over drip tape, and drip tape can often be more dependable. A soaker hose will often overwater areas. There is also a chance that drip tape can save you money in the long run!
Emitters: (NOT DRIP TAPE)
What are emitters?
Emitters are devices used to provide a regulated amount of water to a specific plant or location.
Can I bury emitters?
Yes, you can bury button emitters, but it may increase the chances of them clogging.
Why do my emitters keep clogging?
Any number of things can get in your water and clog your emitters. We always recommend placing a filter on your drip system.
Can I replace or repair an emitter?
Yes, you can replace an emitter. Typically emitters are not repaired.
How many emitters can be put on one line?
That depends on the capacity of your line and the flow rate of each emitter. 1/2" tubing can carry up to 240 GPH, and 3/4" tubing can carry up to 480 GPH. If you use a 2 GPH emitter on 1/2" tubing, divide 240 GPH by 2 GPH (240/2). This will give you the total number of emitters that you can use on a line. If you got 120 emitters as the answer, you are correct.
What does pressure compensating mean?
A pressure compensating (PC) emitter has a built-in flow diaphragm that causes the emitters to come on simultaneously.
Injectors:
Why is my dosmatic not injecting?
When a dosmatic is not properly injecting , the two most common problems are either a hole in the suction tube or a clog from built-up fertilizer.
Do I need to use a filter with my injector?
Yes, for warranty purposes, you will need to use a filter with your injector. Helpful Hint: When using water-soluble fertilizer, use warm to hot water to help the fertilizers dissolve.
What fertilizer injector do I need?
On each listing, we supply helpful PDF’s so that you can determine which injector is right for you!
General Questions:
What size nozzle do I need for irrigation heads?
On each listing, we supply helpful PDF’s so that you can determine which nozzle is proper for you! They list the flow rate and anticipated coverage area based on that nozzle at (x) PSI.
Why is my siphon mixer not working?
For siphon mixers to properly work, there has to be nothing restricting the flow. They have to be able to flow at a full flow rate.
Have questions that we have not answered? Click here to let us know!
