Drip irrigation systems

I'm installing my first drip irrigation system and would love to hear about the experiences of others who have installed such systems. Such topics I would like to hear about are:

--did you buy a kit or construct it from scratch?

--how much better have your plants done since you've installed the system?

--do you use a timer?

--have you noticed a decrease in your water bill?

--what do you do with your time now that you no longer spend it watering?!?

I live in New Jersey, about 20 miles from NYC. Here we usually have ample rainfall but this summer we are having some long dry spells interspersed now and then with thunderstorms. Watering is a must and I have been using soaker hoses but since it was always my intent to install one of these systems, I ordered two kits and got started on this project Saturday.

On Saturday I installed the deck watering system. Sunday I laid out and organized all the parts for the larger system up at my garden, which is nine raised beds (room for about five more) surrounding a large rectangular swimming pool.

Going to start laying out the tubes now, as I installed the filter, pressure regulator, and backflow last night.

NJCher

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Cher:
Let me know how you make out. I've been looking at a kit at Wal-Mart. I think I will buy a kit and then buy the extra materials I need to expand it.

Paul

Hi NJCHER' I installed mine a couple years
ago and love it'Also have the quick connects
and saves me time also' The feeder attachment
saves me "hauling jugs" not getting any younger
Lol'''I didn't go with the sprayers as don't
like getting the foliage wet' Our water is
very precious here on the prairie and we do
not waste any at all'Our storms get fewer each
year that's the reason I installed ours' Also,
with our clay,it holds pretty well'My love is
hosta and have more than I need,they're lovely
and share with my neighbors here'Purchased mine
at wal*mart'I have a timer but don't it as
I water in the morning very early 4am.Set my
microwave timer'

Cut our water bill in half'''We have a home
business and can't take time to water
things individually'Get so upset when I
see timers working during a storm,wasteful'
Hope this helps,thanks 4 asking'Sis'

We started using drippers several years ago and they have been life savers for many of our plants. We started out with a kit, but later began buying the stuff in bulk depending on what we needed because we have such a large area to cover.

Before installing the drip system, we used in-ground sprinklers, but they aren't as effective for the large shrubs and beds because the water just doesn't get down to the roots. With the drippers, you can get the water to the exact spot you need it and there's no waste.

We've also been using battery-operated timers for all the different zones (as many as 8 at one time) with excellent results. You just have to remember to check them once in a while in case the batteries run down, and I like to turn them off during periods of regular rain. Oh, and they need to be disconnected if a freeze is expected. The timers run about $20 each and will last for a year or two. The brand we use has changed it's style 3 times in the past few years (working out the bugs, I guess!) and their latest model seems like the best one yet so I'm hopeful we won't have to replace them quite so often.

The only problem we've had with our system is that the squirrels like to chew holes in the hoses thereby creating "sprayers" which affect the water pressure. (I think they do this so they'll have a place to cool off when the weather's too hot - like kids at a fire hydrant!) It's also amazing how many birds are attracted by the water. The areas with spray heads are very popular for "bird baths."

Since we're on well water, we don't have a water bill, but I could really see a drop in the electric bill soon after we started using the drippers since the pump didn't have to run quite so often.

My husband installs irrigation systems for a living. Every customer we have is very satisfied. I have them for my hanging baskets as well, no more water dripping down my arm when watering or hauling around a chair to reach. That in itself is a plus. Lisa

I have been installing them professionally since the late 1970's -- started buiding my own using thrown away surgical tubing and fittings until the commercial stuff his the market. Wonderful way to get water to the root systems and save on the water bills too. Make sure you have some kind of pressure regulator and perhaps filter for extended life of the system.