Deluxe Drip Tape Kit Installation Recommendations

Downloadable K018 Instruction Manual (pdf)

> The Drip Store’s K-VEG100 Deluxe Drip Tape Kit for Up to 5 Rows of Vegetables contains all the parts needed to complete an installation layout for 5 rows of vegetables or other row crops with each row up to 20 feet long. This kit can be extended with the addition of drip tape and drip tubing for additional rows.

About drip irrigation
It is better to water first thing in the morning before the temperatures begin to rise, allowing excess moisture on leaves and top soil to dry before fungal and other diseases can develop. The most common cause of early plant death is generally considered to be over-watering. Using drip irrigation can help sustain healthy and happy plants by applying water directly to the plant root zone. For established plantings, deep, infrequent watering is recommended. In most cases applying deep watering will encourage deeper rooting, which leads to stronger, healthier plants.

About drip tape
Drip tape is extruded from polyethylene resin with thin walls and with drip emitters inserted in a variety of preset spacing’s. This thin walled drip tape with emitters comes in various thicknesses and is available from 6 to 25 mils. The 15 mil type offered in all the Drip Store kits can last for more than a few seasons. The drip tape arrives flattened and remains so until it is pressurized with water; it then becomes round, usually at low pressure and at recommended operating pressure of 10 to 25 PSI.

Drip tape preferred layout and installation
Use of drip tape or drip line is considered to be the primary method for watering a raised garden beds or row crops. Either should be covered by mulch. The drip tape is great for gardens with straight raised beds that do not curve around corners. The best layout options include placing one drip tape line for each bed up to 1 foot wide with the drip tape installed near and along the plants, placing one drip tape line for each bed up to 2 feet wide with the drip tape line placed in the center of the row and between plantings, or placing two to three drip tape lines on a bed up to 4 feet wide with each drip tape line placed in the center of the row and between each row of plantings. .

Before you start, lay out the blank drip tubing in direct sunlight to make it more flexible to work with. Unroll the blank drip tubing and lay it out per the design drawing or requirements. Use the ½ inch plastic stakes included to secure the drip tubing to the ground in key areas. If the drip tubing is installed below grade, dig trenches 6 to 10 inches deep to keep the drip tubing safe from cultivation practices. Leave the end of the drip tubing above surface for periodic flushing.

Start the kit from a faucet or garden hose
• Optional: If automating the system, first connect the hose end timer (model # C002) to the faucet. If our high flow controller (model C007) is preferred, first connect the male adapter (our model # A010), then the controller.

• Connect the ¾ inch FHT x MHT backflow device (our model # A015) to the hose end timer, controller, or to the faucet if not used with a hose end timer.

• Connect the ¾ inch FHT x MHT filter (our model # F300) to the backflow device if used, or to the faucet if not used with a hose end timer.

• Connect the ¾ inch FHT x MHT pressure regulator (our model # A013) to the filter.

• Connect the ¾ inch FHT swivel adapter with washer (our model # LF503) to the ¾ inch FHT x MHT pressure regulator.

• Note: Drip tape operating pressure range is 10 to 25 PSI. The pressure regulator (included) is used to lower the incoming pressure to the suggested operating pressure of 25 PSI, which is within the range of recommended pressures for a drip irrigation system.

Steps to connect all other components
○ Step 1: To the ¾ inch swivel adapter connect the 50’ of ½ inch drip tubing with .600 ID x .700 OD (model # T004). Insert the ½ inch drip tubing to the compression side of the ¾ inch swivel adapter (by wiggling it and forcing it in), then lay out the drip tubing perpendicular to the vegetable rows. The ½ inch drip tubing is used as the main line to deliver the water to the drip tape, assuming you will have a number of parallel rows with the same spacing between the rows. Make sure to extend the ½ inch drip tubing a few extra feet past the last row. Use the ½ inch holder stake (model # S006) to secure the 1/2" drip hose to the ground.

○ Step 2: Use the ½ inch fittings such as coupling and tees per your layout drawing, leaving the end of the drip tubing open. To install the ½ inch compression fittings, cut the drip tubing with a hand pruner, being careful to keep dirt from entering the line. Hold the compression fitting in one hand and the drip tubing in the other and force the drip tubing into the fitting by wiggling it from side to side. Make sure that the drip tubing is pushed into the compression fitting for about 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch for a very tight fit. No glue or clamps are required.

○ Step 3: Lay out the 100’ drip tape (model # T017) for plantings 8 - 12 inches apart, near each row of vegetables or between two close rows. Extend the drip tape extra feet past each row and secure to the ground. For each row and close to the drip tape, punch a hole in the ½ inch drip tubing using the punch (model # A019) and insert the drip tape connector ¼ inch barbed side (model # A026) into the ½ inch drip tubing. Insert the drip tape over the male barb of the drip tape connector and thread the nut over the tape to secure. Use the drip tape connector (model # A023) to add additional drip tape, or for repair. To secure the drip tape to the fitting, turn the sleeve on the fitting counter-clockwise, insert and push the drip tape over the barb, and secure by turning the sleeve clockwise to go over the drip tape, ensuring a quality watertight connection.

○ Step 4: Turn the water on and flush the line, and then close the end of the ½ inch drip tubing using the figure “8” hose end (our model # A006) and use the drip tape end connector (model # A027) to close the end of the drip tape by inserting the drip tape over the male barb of the drip tape connector end and threading the nut over the drip tape to secure.

○ Step 5: Pressure test the system to identify leaks in the drip tape, fittings, and the connection to the faucet.

○ Step 6: Program the timer/controller and turn the system on via the timer.

About the soil
Sandy soil or light textured soil: Water percolates straight through before it can spread far enough horizontally. Apply water at close intervals such as every other day for 20 to 90 minutes depending on plant size and type, daylight conditions (full sun, partial sun or shaded) and weather pattern (cold to hot) with the plants under full sun in hot conditions getting the longer period.

Loamy soil or medium textured soil: Loamy soil or medium textured soil: This is the ideal soil condition with water moving slowly and spreading evenly. Apply water at wider intervals such as every two to four days for 15 to 90 minutes depending on plant size, type, daylight conditions (full sun, partial sun or shaded) and weather pattern (cold to hot) with the plants under full sun in hot conditions getting the longer period.

Clay soil or heavy textured soil: Water is absorbed very slowly. Apply water at longer intervals such as every three to five days for 30 minutes to 60 minutes depending on flow rate, plant size and type, daylight conditions (full sun, partial sun or shaded) and weather pattern (cold to hot) with the plants under full sun in hot condition getting the longer period