How to Install a Drip Line With a Garden Hose

Drip irrigation is a great way to conserve water and get the water directly to the area needed. Installing drip lines is easy and fast, with a variety of heads to fit every situation. In small applications, keep the maximum mainline to 200 gallons per hour (GPH) in a single zone using 1/4 inch tubing. Use 1/2 inch polyethylene mainline on medium applications where the greatest flow will not exceed 250 GPH. For medium to large applications, select 3/4 inch tubing to increase maximum flow rate to 480 GPH per zone.

Pliers
Small shovel
Scissors or wire cutters
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Connect an adapter to the hose and run the drip tubing along the area to be watered; this is the main line. Use stakes every 1 1/2 to 2 feet to hold down the tubing. At the end of the watering area, cut the tubing and put on an end cap to prevent leaking.
- 2
  Cut the main line tubing at the areas where the lines to the micro sprinklers will go. Use a towel under each connection to ensure no dirt or other debris gets in.
- 3
  Select a 1/4 inch connector (either a barbed cross or barbed tee, depending on your situation) and connect it to the main line.
- 4
  Connect the drip tubing to the connector and cut to the distance needed; this is called the feeder line.
- 5
  Connect the micro sprinkler to the feeder line. Repeat at each connector.
- 6
  Turn on the hose slowly until the sprinklers activate, watching for any leaks.

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