Drip irrigation over quite a large area...

[Snoop Puss]

I am getting fed up of trudging about for an hour and half every day with a watering can so I'm thinking of getting a solar pump and setting up a drip irrigation system. I'd much rather spend the time actually gardening rather than just watering. As this is quite a big investment for me, I'd be glad to get advice from anyone who uses drip irrigation over a large or a small area.

My water source is a well, so I know I'll need a water level sensor. The well replenishes relatively quickly. I've pondered getting an overground tank to provide pressure, but it's prohibitively expensive, which is why I'm going to be using the well as the cistern and pump from there.

I have two veg patches in different areas as the main one is far too cold for winter veg to survive. The main patch consists of 12 beds, each about 80 cm wide and 12 metres long. The winter patch consists of beds running east-west and north-south, so they'll have to be reworked so they all run in the same direction. But I'm hoping it will be possible to water each patch every other day. As not all the beds will be in use all year round, I know I'll need taps to close off beds as and when. But there may be issues I haven't thought about.

The proposed pump is a Shurflow 9300. Output is 420 litres or so an hour. I'm proposing to lay the pipe at ground level, rather than bury it, and to use a thick layer of hay as a mulch. I already have the solar panels to run the pump.

Any and all advice/comments welcome.

[MarkPelican]

I have a cheap dripper system in my polytunnel, fed from a waterbutt which fills from the downspout off a roof. Its nothing like as sophisticated as you seem to be suggesting but a problem that I always have is that the system bungs up because the water isn't perfectly clear (I think its really designed to work off the mains).

So that's my only advice, make sure the water is clear before its fed into the dripper.

[Stan79]

I'm tempted to suggest that you go for the overground storage of water for pressure and have the pump running for two hours to fill up the reservoir. I'm intrigued that you say that is prohibitively expensive to go the overground storage route... there are often IBC's on ebay that hold a 1000 litres that go for a few quid over here. Not the same in Spain?

[Snoop Puss]

I'm intrigued that you say that is prohibitively expensive to go the overground storage route... there are often IBC's on ebay that hold a 1000 litres that go for a few quid over here. Not the same in Spain?

The problem is getting sufficient height. But you're right, these containers are available here. Secondhand about a hundred euros (no guarantee they haven't had chemicals in) and a couple of hundred euros new.

Thanks for your comment, Mark. I think I'll need to fit a filter after the pump to ensure the water going into the drip system is clean.

[boatsman]

I've been using a drip feed system for years, but mine is connected to the water mains via a filter and a pressure reducer. If you can pump your well water into a raised tank you should have enough pressure so you would only need a filter in line to prevent the drippers getting clogged up. You can also put a battery operated timer in line with the dripper system.

[burnie]

I will follow this with interest, I want a system on a much smaller scale for my greenhouse, so we can go on holiday without worrying, wouldn't trust many of my neighbours as there's few that know what a garden really is for.

[Nicos]

I've been thinking of something doing similar.
Thing is, my well is right next to the road, and I'd be worried someone might yank the pump up an pinch it!
Probably not, but it'd be too expensive to have to replace it.

Plastic pipes don't do well here in the sun. I'm shocked how quickly anything plastic begins to crack/shatter.
I imagine you have a similar problem?

I thought it'd be easier for me to pump water into several IBCs (cost€50 here) and top up as necessary...but then I got thinking....

I don't save all the rainwater from my roof yet so it may be much cheaper for me to try and go down that line first?
Those pumps are flippin expensive!

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks, guys. I've talked about the IBCs with Mr Snoop. His view is you're either pumping a couple of hours directly through the irrigation pipes or you're pumping a couple of hours up to an IBC. Makes no odds. So why buy one (in my case)? Are there any advantages to an IBC that I/we haven't considered?

Getting sufficient pressure to supply such a large area from an IBC will be difficult. The end drippers are unlikely to get much of a supply. My problem is in part the lie of the land. To get sufficient height, I'd have to place the tank(s) in amidst forest land and I don't think I'd get permission from the forestry agent (who visits us fairly regularly). As the plot is visible from the house, I don't fancy building a concrete platform to stand an IBC on. And yes, an inline filter after the pump will be required whether I'm irrigating directly from the well or indirectly from an IBC.

Nicos, my understanding is that the pipe should last four or five years. I'm hoping that by covering it with a thick mulch of hay, that will slow down sun damage. You're quite right, plastic suffers dreadfully here too. The other option would be simply to water using a hosepipe. Cheaper, probably, but I'm also looking to cut down on the amount of time I spend watering and on the amount of effort it takes. The veg patch at this time of year is a veritable labour of love. The locals think I'm mad!

You're right about the cost of the pump. It'd be a terrible loss if someone pinched it. You can get cheaper ones on eBay. A lot of them seem to be bilge pumps rather than well pumps regardless of what they claim. If your well isn't very deep, they might do you. You can also get German and American ones that are more than twice the price. Plus the Shurflow is serviceable, which I'm hoping will mean it'll last longer. I'm looking at this as a long term investment. Reviews on Amazon.com suggest it should last a while. However, if you can harvest your rainwater, that would make good irrigation water. We're going the old-fashioned route and will use rainwater in the house (treated, though not for cooking and drinking).

Burnie, it strikes me that for a greenhouse, a raised IBC should work extremely well for plants at ground level. I've seen greenhouses with pots hanging off raised lengths of metal. Do you do the same? If so, those plants might be difficult to water satisfactorily unless you have your IBC positioned well above the greenhouse.

[burnie]

When we were in Fuetuventura many moons ago, the public flower displays were watered all over Caletta de Fuste by drip feed pipes(they used the waste grey water), so there must be some sort of hose that will work in sunnier climes.
Re my greenhouse, I have 2 large water butts that should be sufficient as a supply, it's what system to use that will reach the end of the pipe(like your concern) and won't get clogged, even filters will clog if the water is not nice and clean.

[boatsman]

My outside water pipes are made of PEX. I use 16mm PEX with brass connections to join it to the 1/2 inch BSP water pipe. I've never had a problem with pipes melting, and I don't think the average temperature here is much different from Spain. Regarding drip feed pipes, here they are made of plastic by Netafim and are fully exposed to sunlight without any adverse effects.

[Dalrimple]

Mr Snoop's right , you can get inline fillters that work very well and they are easy to clean and maintain ! iv'e fitted lots of these on water lines (2 last month) so if your well water is cleanish to start with go for that . atb Dal

[Nicos]

Any links to what people have been using?...just out of interest?

[Dalrimple]

Nicos the ones i fit are industrial and are suplyed by the stores where I work ,but i'm sure a google will bring something up ,they range from 1/2inch bsp to 6 inch and have a trap that collects any dross which can be clean out ,if Snoop puss is using a large pump she will get something to fit . atb Dal

[Snoop Puss]

Well, part way there as I've ordered the pump!

Good to hear your experience, Boatsman. I'm not worried about the pipes melting, so much as degrading due to UV and then cracking. Hence the use of a straw mulch.

Nicos, I'll keep this thread updated as we progress, whether it proves to be a complete or only a partial success. I'll note any brands names if I can identify them (pipe sold by the metre seems unbranded, plus I expect the things you can get in France would be branded differently).

Initially we'll be watering using a hosepipe while I get my head round the irrigation design. I'm away for a week or so soon, and Mr Snoop will be glad not to have to use a watering can to irrigate. It's a dreadful burden, especially as the veg patch is my thing. I'm really looking forward to being able to look after the plants properly rather than just water them.

[Snoop Puss]

Sorry, Burnie, forgot to reply to you. But maybe the answer is in fact a question for Dalrimple. I presume these inline filters can be removed and cleaned. That's certainly the info I've found here.

Edited to add: Might you find this thread useful, Burnie?
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...systems-2.html