Beginner's Guide to Drip Irrigation - 8 Common Questions Answered

If you're new to gardening or are considering switching to drip irrigation, you may have some questions about how it works and how to set it up. In this beginner's guide to drip irrigation, I answer 8 common questions to help you get started with this efficient watering system. From understanding how to install drip irrigation systems for vegetable garden to understanding common questions and FAQs, this video is a great resource for anyone new to drip irrigation for home gardens.
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WATCH NEXT - :

▶️ A Beginners Guide to Installing Drip Irrigation:

▶️ 5 Tips for STRESS-FREE Drip Irrigation:

▶️ How to Repair a Broken Drip Irrigation Line:

▶️ How to Install Soaker Hoses on Drip Irrigation in Vegetable Garden:

▶️ 2 Methods for Installing Drip Emitters:

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If you're new to drip irrigation systems, this video is a great place to start! I'll answer all your questions about drip irrigation and help you get started with this easy and efficient gardening method!
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Products mentioned in this video:
Affiliate Links: I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Drip Irrigation Kits:

Drip Irrigation Emitters (1 GPH):

Drip Irrigation Emitters (2 GPH):

Drip Irrigation Emitters (0.5 GPH):

Drip Irrigation T-Fittings: (to expand an existing system)

Raindrip Analog 3-Dial Water Timer (R675CT)

B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer with Wi-Fi

Backflow Prevention Valve:

Drip Irrigation Good Plugs:

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In This Video:
0:00 Drip Irrigation: 8 Frequently Asked Questions
0:30 Is it better to buy a drip irrigation kit or individual parts?
1:29 How many drip emitters can I connect to one system?
2:47 What size drip emitters should I use for my vegetable garden?
4:25 Can I expand, or add to, my drip irrigation system later on?
5:07 Do I leave the faucet turned on all the time after connecting a drip irrigation timer?
5:42 Do I need to use a backflow prevention valve on my drip irrigation system?
6:16 Can I remove the drip lines each spring to be able to till the soil?
7:06 What do I do if I punch a hole in the wrong place along the 1/2in in tubing?
7:34 Leave addition questions in the comments

[janhavi]

Great video with no useless fluff, thanks! I have recently become the ignorant caretaker of a 5 acre irrigation system with 3 Irritrol irrigation timers, hundreds of fruit trees, ornamental trees and bushes and dozens of small succlents, etc. It has been somewhat neglected since the last irrigation overhaul 2 years ago and i am just now learning about irrigation systems. (i am the renter).

The property has Netafim drip emitters everywhere. The soil is clay to loam. Most of the irrigation stations are set for 20 to 30 minutes each. All of the emitters i have seen are either 8 L/hr or 4 L/hr. Many of the trees (even fully grown redbuds and the fruit trees) have 3 or 4 individual 8L/hr emitters close to the trunks, i.e. 24 to 32 L/hr per tree. Even the little succulents and super drought-tolerants like Dietes have 4L/hr emitters.

Most of the programs are set to run 3 or 4 days a week, and this is northern semi-coastal California, so not super hot except a few days/week for a few weeks in summer. So I think this is way too much water, especially for the succulents, drought tolerants and even the trees. At least one lovely full-grown apricot tree died last year, i think from root rot. Grass and weed growth, including blackberries & poison oak is pretty extreme around the watering. And when the weed-whacking guys come, drip lines ususally get cut.

I think this is too much water, especially for the succulents, drought tolerants and trees. What do you think?

[roguepetunia]

Great explanation. Clear and to the point.

[darcil]

Hi great video. It answered several of my questions. One question I have however is why does my 1/2GPH button emitter flow at a medium-fast rate rather than drip? Thanks for the great information and help

[lizbethliss]

Thank you, very informative and straight to the points!

[Your_Host_Airy]

Thank you so much for your video. I plan to install an irrigation system on a steep hill of my farm. Your giving me so much ideas, Thank you!

[ongnoimay]

Thank you for explaining!! This vìdeo was very helpful.

[rickkoscielniak]

Great information for me. Thanks so much for your knowledge for us new drip system installer.

[danmathers]

Awesome video!! answers the perfect questions! Thank you for sharing with us!!!

[JAMROC]

Thanks for your response. I intend to place the barrel on cinder blocks stacked 2 rows.

[SheriTerrell-xl]

Hello, Thank you for your videos. They are very informative. I have installed a drip irrigation system but where I added a connection it leaks at the hole. How do I fix leaks at the connection area?

[TheJods]

Hi there- thanks for your videos. I’m trying to estimate water needs for a large garden I’m setting up this year. I’ll have various vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and berries on my irrigation system. I’m using run off water in a water barrel as a water source and am trying to figure out how much water I need to store each week to provide for my plants. How do you go about estimating how much water plants need per day? I know soil type will have an impact and we are in an area with a lot of clay . Thanks for your thoughts!

[willtucker]

I have raised beds. Will the water run vertically up the line at the bed when I bring the supply line along the ground to the raised bed?

[christinebalog]

Can the emitters be easily pulled out of the black distribution tubing and replaced? For example, two years ago I had planted some new trees and i used 5 gph emitters, but now I would like to instead use 2 gph emitters as the trees are established. Can the 5 gph emitters be pulled out and replaced with another emitter? Or do I need to just cut that whole tubing section out and redo with new emitters that I want to use? Thanks!

[randallaustin]

This is my second year in the garden and this year i picked up a drip irrigation kit b4 catching your video; which is very informative and did answer a few questions I had... all but 1 of them. my kit came with a sampling of .5, 1, and 2 g/h emitters. Soon I started thinking that plants may have different watering requirements. In trying to find answers I've learned that some plants require 1-2 inches of water per week but others just say keep moist. At the 2:25min mark you said you use 1 g/h emitters. I'm assuming that is because of the adoration rate of your soil. I'm not sure what your growing but I am wondering do all your plants benefit from the equal amount of water?

[JAMROC]

I am planning to use drip irrigation for the 1st time. Do you have a video on gravity feed? I will be using a plastic barrel or a garbage container.

[lexpox]

would installing the pressure reducer before the timer switch mechanism help the longevity of the switch? seems like it might. Also should you install the back-flow preventor first then the timer switch or does it matter?

[ruthlopez]

I just had new drip irrigation converted from sprinklers after removing my lawn and made everything into bedding areas. I put 1/2 gallon emitters on all the bedding plants since most are drought tolerant or waterwise plants that don't want much water after establishment. The irrigation guy wanted to put 1 or 2-gallon emitters on all plants. I thought I would water longer if the plants needed it. I am trying to keep water waste down since I live in California. Am I wrong?

[RandyRoberts-ll]

Can you use a soaker hose for a row crop such as okra? How would a length of soaker hose calculate into your total system output?

[kendrathompson]

Currently I have 2 rows of corn, with 20 plants in each row. I'm not sure what the best attachment to my main 1/2 line is for this. I don't want to run 40 1/4 tubes from the main line. Is the soaker line enough water?

[Sound_Enthusiast]

If a 2 gph emitter is set directly on the 1/2 tubing, could I add a 1 gph at the end of the same line to decrease the output? I'm trying to avoid digging up the line while still decreasing the output.