The best drip irrigation systems for outdoor plants

2022-07-30 06:36:38 By : Ms. Belan ForUDesigns

Rain Drip R567DT Drip Watering Vegetable Garden Kit ($22.30)

Finding adequate time amidst busy schedules for watering an outdoor garden can be difficult. When I was growing up, this task was part of the chore rotation for my brothers and me. I secretly always enjoyed it as I was a kid who went barefoot as often as I could and loved the feel of mud between my toes (I likely wasted a good amount of water by directing the hose to places other than my mom’s flower beds.) A drip irrigation system for outdoor plants solves both the problem of wasting water and finding the time to do so.

Like most things these days, there are all sorts of options available. All drip irrigation systems include tubing, an adapter that attaches to the water source, and emitter nozzles.

There are four different types of emitter nozzles. An emitter nozzle determines the manner or way that water is distributed to your plants.

Plant type, soil type (good drainage or not), and flow rate (how much water your plants require) will determine the design of your irrigation system. You can create a system that utilizes all the different types of emitter nozzles if needed.

Other features to consider for your drip irrigation system include pressure compensation (the best emitters will have this built-in), filters (installed at the faucet water source to prevent build-up that can cause clogs in your system, self-flushing valves installed at the end to automatically flush the system when the water turns off, and check valves to ensure the water only flows in one direction. Check valves install at the hose faucet and prevent water from flowing back into your house during an unexpected water pressure drop. An automatic, programmable timer is also a great addition to any system.

Here are some of the best drip irrigations systems for outdoor plants to get started with automated watering.

Rain Drip Vegetable Garden Watering Kit

A small, inexpensive, and simple system, this Rain Drip irrigation kit is designed as a “starter” irrigation system. It comes with an adaptor that connects to a faucet, 50 feet of ¼-inch tubing (dripline) with ½-inch gallon per hour emitters spaced 12 inches apart, stakes to secure the dripline, and an end plug.

You can expand the system by purchasing and connecting more tubing and emitters. This particular system does not come with a pressure regulator but one can be easily connected to the ¾-inch threaded female hose end. Dripline irrigation systems like this one are well suited to raised beds.

Orbit 69525 Micro Bubbler Complete Drip Irrigation Watering Kit

This Orbit kit is another small, easy-to-use (and install) irrigation kit. Instead of dripline like the above Rain Drip kit, it includes eight micro bubblers on stakes which can be attached to the distribution tubing.

The kit includes 50 feet of ½-inch tubing, 50 feet of ¼-inch tubing, a faucet adapter, along with tees, couplings, and clamps to customize your set up.

Like the Rain Drip, you can easily add to this system to cover a larger area.

Orbit 61014 Garden Box Drip Watering Hose Faucet Timer Sprinkler Kit

If you want a slightly more robust system that comes with a faucet timer, this one (also from Orbit) offers a great solution. With the included distribution tubing, soaker tubing, couplings, and elbows, you can set up a sufficient starter watering system for your garden. This kit does not come with an end plug as it is meant to be installed in a loop.

For $20.00 more, you can even get a timer that connects to wi-fi that you can control via a smartphone app and/or Alexa. The B-Hyve faucet timer with Wi-Fi is available as a stand-alone product for around $72.00 if you want to add it to a system you already own.

MIXC 226FT Greenhouse Micro Drip Irrigation Kit Automatic Patio Misting Plant Watering System

If you want versatility, this MIXC irrigation kit comes with three kinds of sprayers: misting nozzles, eight-hole drip emitters, and scattering sprinklers. The 4 by 6-way connector allows you to set up 16 water tributaries extending from the start point which helps solve the problem of water not making it all the way to the end of a system.

With 226 feet of irrigation tubing, this system can effectively water a garden up to 160 square feet.

Rain Bird DRIPPAILQ Drip Irrigation Repair and Expansion Kit

For repairs or to expand your current system, this kit from Rain Bird is a great value. It comes stocked with ¼-inch tubing, a faucet adapter, and fitter, 40 watering emitters of various sizing, plus plugs, stakes, tees, and couplings. There’s also an installation and removal tool for fittings and emitters making alterations to your design easy.

All of these drip irrigation systems are pretty easy to install. Feel free to mix and match as many components as you like (made possible by the beauty of standardized plumbing fittings) to create a watering system that provides the best solution for your outdoor garden while conserving both water and your time.