It rained Sunday and a front came through that has dropped our overnight temps into the 40's! Go figure! They say this will be the last cold snap until next Fall. Hard to imagine we'll have seven months or more before we ever get that cold again.
If the Zen Machine doesn't get back from the "doctor" soon, it's going to be a jungle. Hopefully it will be ready this week...which means this coming weekend will be mowing. Yay?
The goal this past weekend was to work on the irrigation (though this looks like a mess, ha). I cut the pieces needed for our "snip n drip" system. I also had to throw away the four valve manifold (above) because it had cracked in the freeze. My fault for leaving it outside even after I disconnected the hoses. Lesson learned.
This is what we use. I've blogged about it before, it's the "Snip n Drip" system from Gardeners.com. It's more of a soaker hose set up as opposed to a drip system but it works well for us. Two things I've learned by trial and error, just keep the pressure low (i.e. don't put the faucet on high) and don't water for long periods of time (it is a "soaker" after all).
They are just SO easy to use. You cut the regular hose (non watering part between the beds) to length, then cut the soaker (the part in the bed) to length, and screw them both together using this connector. Just repeat on each section and put an end cap on when you are done with that run.
This is a picture from last year. I put the irrigation down after I had planted and put down the straw mulch. This time I'm going to cover the soaker hoses with the straw. That should keep the direct sun off of them and they'll last longer.
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| Dig hose end digital timer |
We also needed a new hose end timer. There are a bunch on the market, many of them with fancy features we won't use. This is the "new" version of the one we've had for the last few years so we figured why mess with something else when we can get the one that has worked so well for us. It's got a couple new features that will help, the main one being a battery indicator. That's important when you are only there once a week. At least we'll know when it's getting close to time for new batteries so it doesn't run out and stop watering.
Above is the link (affiliate) to the one we bought.
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| Snip n drip irrigation plan |
Here is the plan. It always helps me to draw it out and figure out where to put the connectors, which part will be the end of the line, how many connectors to have etc. While it's drawn out in detail on paper (I'm old fashioned like that, ha), I did this to share a sense of what the plan looks like. We'll do two runs to cover all the beds we're using.
This weekend will be PLANTING!
Great system that you have set up.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's always best to put connectors and hoses in a 5 gal. Homer bucket or container of sorts and store in your shed making sure all drops of water are out of the connectors and hoses as well before storing away during the winter months.
Got down to 37 deg. here last night so was a bit chilly this morning when I got up.
Yep, I actually have a clear plastic container (with holes in the top for circulation) that I put the connectors in. But the hose sections in a 5 gal bucket is a great idea!!
DeleteWe're at 46 tonight. Crazy!
My three-way thing that connects to the faucet and has places for three hoses froze and split last year. The faucet did not free, just the connector. they replaced it, though.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's what happened to this one. But I didn't have the receipt and it was a few years old. But I've changed that with the new one, I kept the receipt and put it in a special place at the farm "just in case". :-)
DeleteYou have a really great watering system, especially for your long-distance-gardening. Covering it up with straw is a good idea - it will protect the hose from sunlight and conserve the water that is dripping out.
ReplyDeleteHopefully this little bit of chill is winter’s farewell. And next weekend you can fun with the planting!
Yep, it took a couple seasons to figure it all out but it's working well now. Yes, last year I left it exposed, I think it got too brittle in the sun. Changing that this year. I can't wait for planting!
DeleteThanks for posting pics! That's the timer I purchased too. We did not get a drop of rain yesterday, I did take advantage of the cool mornings to "turn on" the fireplace for probably the last time this season.
ReplyDeleteNo problem. Awesome we got the same timer. Yep, the last one worked great for several seasons, just felt it was time for a new one. Just got the newer version of what we had. Programming was a bit confusing but once you figure it out it's easy to change.
DeleteThis last blast of cool is nice but we know it's fleeting!
I think that's a great plan. Our irrigation system here is called "Rain with the hose" lol...we're in the mountains, it's so humid that we don't need to worry about irrigation too much! And mowing? YAY!!! I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome system. I am still gardening the traditional way, long rows but am considering raised beds and possibly square foot gardening. Much easier and saves water I think. Thanks for sharing.
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