Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, cutting waste and promoting healthier growth. It’s ideal for vegetable gardens, raised beds, landscapes, orchards, containers, and slopes where runoff and evaporation are common. By applying a slow, steady flow, these systems can reduce water use and weed pressure while keeping foliage dry to minimize disease.

This directory covers complete drip irrigation systems, kits, and the parts to customize them: 1/2 in poly supply tubing, 1/4 in micro-tubing, dripline and drip tape, emitters (button, inline, and pressure-compensating in 0.5, 1, and 2 gph), micro-sprays, manifolds, barbed and compression fittings, stakes, end caps and flush valves, goof plugs, hole punches, tubing cutters, filters (150–200 mesh), pressure regulators (10–30 psi), backflow preventers, valves, and hose-end or smart timers/controllers. Beginners can start with a kit; pros and tinkerers can mix components for complex zones.

Choosing components is straightforward:
- Match emitter type and flow to plants and soil. Clay soils prefer lower flows; sandy soils benefit from higher flows or more emitters.
- Use pressure-compensating emitters for long runs or elevation changes to maintain uniform output.
- Drip tape suits row crops; inline dripline works for evenly spaced plantings; button emitters suit shrubs and trees.
- Pair municipal water with a backflow preventer, filter, and regulator; consider low-pressure emitters for rain barrels and gravity feed.

Installation is DIY-friendly: run the mainline along beds, tee off with micro-tubing, stake lines, and flush before capping. Add a filter and 25 psi regulator at the faucet and automate with a timer. Maintenance is simple—inspect for leaks, flush lines seasonally, replace clogged emitters, and winterize by draining. To set run time, divide gallons needed per plant by emitter gph, and split watering into multiple shorter cycles to reduce runoff.

Quick benefits:
- Water savings of 30–70% vs. sprinklers
- Healthier plants and fewer weeds
- Precise zone control for diverse plantings
- Easy to expand with additional zones and smart controls

Use this directory to compare parts and build a reliable, low-flow watering solution tailored to your landscape.