How To Install Irrigation In A Field

Learning how to install irrigation in a field is a great way to save money on labor and maintenance for your gardening. Once installed, it is relatively maintenance free, very cost effective and great for conserving water. Follow these directions to install a drip irrigation system in your field and get started on saving money now.

Drip irrigation systems are generally used to water the crops and not the whole area on which the crop is planted. These systems are generally completely automated and require little labor after setup. Drip irrigation can be run on the surface or buried, depending on your needs.

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Anti-siphon valve
• Pressure regulator
• T Filter
• Swivel adapter
• Digital timer
• ½-inch unperforated tubing
• ½-inch tubing with emitters
• ½-inch end clamp
• Tee and elbow connectors

Installing Irrigation In a Field

Step 1 – Setting up the Faucet

Attach the anti-siphon valve to an outdoor faucet to prevent dirty irrigation water from backing into your water supply. Below the anti-siphon valve, attach a digital timer if you are interested in setting specific times to water your plants. Below that attach a pressure regulator to reduce the water pressure for the drip irrigation circuit. Use a 150-mesh T filter directly below the pressure regulator to keep sediment from clogging the small openings in the drippers. Finally attach the swivel adapter so that you can attach the hose to the ½-inch tubing. Tighten all the connections by hand. Never use glue or any sealant, as you will need to periodically take the connections apart for flushing.

Step 2 – Setting Up the Tubing

Attach ½-inch unperforated tubing long enough to reach your crops and using barbed connectors attach the roll of ½-inch tubing with emitters to the unperforated tubing. Run the tubing with emitters through your plants that you wish to irrigate along the rows near the roots of the plants.

Step 3 – Staking the Tubing

Once your tubing is in place, attach plastic ground stakes to hold it down, making sure that the hook at the top of the stakes fits over the tubing. If you have to turn the tubing at a sharp angle or branch it out to another area, cut the tubing and reattach it with tee or elbow connectors.

Step 4 – Closing the Tubing

When you are finished, cut the end of the tubing and leave it open so it can be flushed with water later. Once all the tubing is in place, turn the water on and flush the dirt from the tubing. Turn off the water and place a ½ inch end clamp onto the open end. Fold the end and slide the other loop of the clamp over the folded piece to hold it in a crimped position.

Step 5 – Covering the Tubing

If desired, cover the tubing with about two inches of mulch to lock the water in and prevent evaporation.