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    Home » DIY » Outdoor Projects

    Don't Hesitate to Irrigate

    By: Leo · Updated: 2 Feb, '13 · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

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    I made the decision to get water to every plant in our garden this year. Last year I put an individual drip line to all of our tomato plants, and the results were fantastic. For the rest of the garden, the majority of the spring and summer were spent hand watering. Life's too short to do that again.

    Irrigation 013

    With the encouragement and help from my brother Jim, we decided to install permanent irrigation pipes to all the raised beds. I dug the ditches and

    Irrigation 010

    laid the pipes.

    Irrigation 021

    Jim did the plumbing.

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    We put one of these in each raised bed.

    Irrigation 002

    We found out last year how quickly the soil in the raised beds dries out. So this should make watering easier.

    Irrigation 016

    We thought it would take about 3 hours to do this. WRONG! It took us about 3 days and a lot of sore muscles.

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    Now I can put an individual drip line on each plant inside the raised beds. By the way, all the experts will tell you that it's much better to water at the roots rather than overhead.

    Irrigation2 005

    I went ahead and laid out the rows for the rest of our garden. Now we're ready to plant.

    Irrigation2 002

    But wait a minute. I need to take a break.

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    Sorry, Lucy. You're not allowed in the garden any more. You move my hoses and dig too many holes.

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    After all this work putting in our irrigation system for the garden, there's trouble with my well pump. I'll get it fixed. It's always something, isn't it?

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    1. Diana

      May 28, 2015 at 7:31 pm

      Love your setup. What type if emitters (gph) do you use and what is your watering schedule for your tomato plants. It gets pretty hot here in northern Calif (90-100) in the summer and I'm always afaid to overwater.

      Reply
    2. Dwight Merwin

      August 31, 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Leo could you tell me what the actual size of the raised beds are that looks great and with the posts at the corners you can raise your beds a little at a time. Thanks for all the good stuff you and your wife have placed here for us new people to start a garden.
      Dwight Merwin and Dianna

      Reply
    3. Janice Owen

      July 09, 2012 at 1:33 pm

      As a homeowner myself I do know ( projects) what you are talking about. Our job is never done. 1 thing after another. Love it though, except when it is 105 outside. Irrigation is something I want to do when the finances get better. A lot of Prayer has also helped.
      My garden was over taking by mushrooms ( I think it was bad dirt), not to sure though I only got 1 tomato and 1 bell pepper. your gardens look Fabulous.Keep up the Good work

      Reply
    4. Vickie

      March 06, 2012 at 8:32 pm

      I predict a bumper crop at the crossroads this year!

      Reply
    5. sue

      March 06, 2012 at 8:03 am

      Wow, what a great system! Can you stop over and install one in my garden??? Can't wait to see the progress as your garden grows!

      Reply
    6. Jean Windham

      March 04, 2012 at 7:09 pm

      Leo, I am impressed with the irrigation system. I am sure both you and Jim were very tired after those three days of work but you will enjoy the benefits at harvest time. Good luck and great job. Lucy looks like she is guarding the entrance. Jean

      Reply
    7. Heather :) :) :)

      March 04, 2012 at 12:25 pm

      Poor Lucy. She is a cute dog, though 🙂 🙂 Your garden beds are looking better ever week 🙂 🙂 Have a great Sunday. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂

      Reply
    8. dawn

      March 04, 2012 at 7:33 am

      OMG, Leo, I had to crack up when I saw the little sketch image of you for the signature. It is just adorable and simply perfect. Loving the garden spot. I am going to make a huge garden this year, and was planning on just using soaker hoses, but may have hubby do what you did. We have all the equipment for digging, so it would be easy to do. Great job and fantastic post:)

      Reply
      • leo

        March 04, 2012 at 9:24 am

        Dawn, the character was done for me by a political cartoonist. I used soaker hoses the first year but I wasn't satisfied because they delivered the water unevenly.

        Reply
    9. Ann

      March 03, 2012 at 11:30 pm

      What a huge job...I can't wait to see the fruits of your labor!

      Reply
      • leo

        March 04, 2012 at 9:21 am

        Ann, we enjoyed a fresh asparagus stalk the other day. (Only 2 were ready for picking.)

        Reply
    10. Helen

      March 03, 2012 at 10:38 pm

      Leo and Jane, y'all continue to amaze me with all the wonderful ideas you both have. Thanks for this great post.
      Helen

      Reply
      • leo

        March 04, 2012 at 9:19 am

        Thanks Helen,
        Stay tuned for our next exciting project...what's it going to be? Whatever Jane asks me to do.

        Reply
    11. for the love of a house

      March 03, 2012 at 10:24 pm

      Wow Leo- I'm so impressed that y'all did it yourself (with Jim's help! what a nice brother) I still have your post from last year about building the raised beds saved for Dan as that's a Spring project on "the list." Lucy's just helping you dig holes for all your seeds;) Sweet girl!

      happy weekend to you and Jane!
      joan

      Reply
      • leo

        March 04, 2012 at 9:18 am

        Joan,
        Good luck with the raised beds. Lucy is a sweet girl, but the seeds don't need to be planted 3 feet deep!

        Reply
    12. Lavender Dreams

      March 03, 2012 at 8:20 pm

      This sure will be worth it when summer comes! What a great project...and yes...it's always something! ♥

      Reply
      • leo

        March 04, 2012 at 9:16 am

        Thanks for your comment. A fresh tomato sandwich makes it all worthwhile.

        Reply
    13. Shannon @Cozy Home Scenes

      March 03, 2012 at 7:15 pm

      Well...you deserved a break after all that work! Hope you had plenty of snacks and refreshment. That always makes work go better, I think. Are you sure it was Lucy causing trouble because she looks too sweet to do anything naughty. That was an ambitious project but you will be very happy when you don't have to worry with watering all the time. Jane will be happy when you bring all those gorgeous veggies to her kitchen.---------- Shannon

      Reply
      • leo

        March 04, 2012 at 9:14 am

        Thanks Shannon,
        Lucy is my best buddy, but she can dig a 3 foot hole in a matter of seconds!

        Reply
    14. leo

      March 03, 2012 at 5:32 pm

      Thanks Ro! Wouldn't you know, we had 2 inches of rain today. We won't need the irrigation for a few day. It will give me time to get the pump fixed. Life is good.

      Reply
    15. Ro

      March 03, 2012 at 12:22 pm

      That's for sure! As soon as one project is finished something else needs tending to! (smile)
      You will be so thrilled not to have to hand water this year. That is too big a job. Your drip lines look great, as I know your garden will!

      Reply

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