Start with a Plan

• Start small, with an irrigation system that waters only a few plants or a garden bed. It's easy to scale up later. Determine your water source. Adapt an existing irrigation system, or hook straight to an outdoor faucet. Consider the watering needs of your plants. Some will need more than others. Measure the distance from your water source to your plants. This is where your main line will run. Also, each plant will have its own emitter, and that means a separate tube. Measure these distances from your main line.
  
  

Go Shopping

• Some stores sell drip irrigation kits, which are limited but simple. Or you can buy all the parts individually. Invest in a good automatic watering timer. You don't want to come home and find a swamp in your backyard, or worse---all your plants dead from under watering. A backflow valve is a must. This prevents the irrigation water from backing up into your home plumbing. It doesn't seem all that bad until you consider what might get into your irrigation tubes: like dog pee, dirt, or salmonella. Unless you are a master measurer, buy extra tubing. Better to have too much than to have to make that second (or third) run to the store.
  
  

Keep it Maintained

• After you have assembled your drip system, evaluate the water pressure. The emitters should have an even flow---not straining. When your system is off, check for leaks or loose connections. A busted tube can cause water to spill out where you don't want it. Plus your plants will go unwatered until you fix it. Before adding any new tubing, flush the system by turning it on. It will wash any dirt out that might clog the tubing. If you live in a cold climate, remove your timer in fall and bring it indoors. This will prevent winter freeze damage. Another tip is to keep your home water filter supplied with water softener, as hard water can quickly clog up small tubing.