To aid planning and design, all systems should be sketched out. This will allow you to determine the length of tubing and the number of other parts that will required to complete system. If the locations of the plants are marked, then deciding on how to lay out the system is much easier.
Most home systems use less water than the hose bib or anti-siphon valve is capable of delivering. If, however, the system needs more that the hose bib can deliver at one time, divide the system into as many individual systems as necessary. You may also want to consider keeping certain plants with differing watering requirements on a separate system. Keep in mind that, in the future, you may want to add to the system such as adding more emitters to a tree as it grows, or when you add more emitters because you’ve decided that it would be nice to have an area of color out by the spa in the backyard. In other words, don’t limit yourself. One of the many advantages of a drip irrigation system is the ease in which it can be changed or modified to suite your needs.
Provisions should be made to utilize the drip irrigation system for the application of fertilizers on a frequent, or better yet, a continuous basis. Fertilizers, micro-nutrients, additives, and system cleansers must be in liquid form when being used. There are many brands of liquid fertilizers already on the market that are premixed. All you have to do is pour them into the fertilizer dispenser. No mixing is needed. If you have a favorite brand of fertilizer that you like using, such as Miracle Gro®, Peter’s Professional®, or Bandini Pro Choice®, that’s fine, too. These are totally water soluble fertilizers and can be premixed with water, at a rate of one pound of dry fertilizer to one gallon of water and used in the dispenser.
