Best automatic irrigation tubing according to redditors

These are GREAT connetors. They come in multiple diameter sizes too.

Here is the proper tubing too. Again they come in different diameters.

I got the drip line that's a drip every 6 inches. In my raised bed that's 2 x 12 ft, I had three lines of the drip line going down the bed. The automatic timer had the drips going 15 minutes twice a day. The automatic drip line + mulch on top made the garden totally easy and worked great for me since I don't get a chance to do any gardening during the work week due to long hours and a long commute.

Automatic Watering System ($35): https://smile.amazon.com/Raindrip-R560DP-Automatic-Container-Hanging/dp/B00J2NRUBI

Drip Line 6-inch spacing ($17): https://smile.amazon.com/100-Feet-Irrigation-Hydroponics-Dripline-Emitter/dp/B0746837DL

Straw Mulch ($21): https://smile.amazon.com/EZ-Straw-Seeding-Mulch-Tack/dp/B00GRSV936

Tubbing: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BVS1YK/

Connector: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WJRG30/

Cutters: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HSAPR8/

DIY all the way.

You have two watering areas. front and rear. Front has three sections, rear has two. You will most likely need two timers, unless you can bring a hose from the front to the back.

I just rebuilt my irrigation system to drip. 4 raised beds, 20x 5 gallon buckets, and hopefully more soon. Let me know if you have any questions on this, just doing a data dump here.

I am assuming your water comes from a hose. Get a cheap hose timer, (i'm just going to link to some simple stuff on amazon, not the exact thing you should buy, you can get a lot at home depot and it might be cheaper there) https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-Single-Programmable-Standard-Packaging/dp/B004INGS8S you will probably need two.

Get some 1/2" irrigation tubing. This will run the majority of water. Think of this as the main line. https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Bird-T70-50S-Irrigation-Distribution/dp/B00J9Q2TC8/ref=sr_1_4?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909237&sr=1-4&keywords=1%2F2+inch+irrigation+tubing

You will need a hole punch (this was a lot cheaper at home depot) https://www.amazon.com/Drip-Irrigation-Standard-Tubing-Punch/dp/B0035LSREW/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909306&sr=1-5&keywords=1%2F2+inch+irrigation+tubing+hole+punch

Then you will need the smaller tubing. This will bring the water from the main 1/2" line to each plant. https://www.amazon.com/KORAM-Irrigation-Distribution-Tubing-Watering/dp/B013WJYKZQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909338&sr=1-5&keywords=drip+irrigation+tubing

Then you will need some emitters. There are a ton of options, I would recommend going to home depot to browse. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_asi_1?rh=i%3Alawngarden%2Ck%3Adrip+irrigation+emmiters&keywords=drip+irrigation+emmiters&ie=UTF8&qid=1521909391

For my emitters I use mostly drip but in a couple areas I use sprayers.

You are going to need some other random parts, and will need to take trips to the hardware store for them because if you are like me you measure once and cut twice. You might need T connectors, you will need the adapter to fit the hose to your water times, maybe a pressure regulator, and some hose terminators for the main line.

I am going to follow up with another comment on installation.

[edit] More detail on connectors

You will need the 3/4 to 1/2 connector. Check this list for a bunch of the connectors. I didn't need a pressure regulator because I have shit water pressure. But you might as too high water pressure is bad.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Watering-Irrigation-Drip-Irrigation-Drip-Irrigation-Fittings/N-5yc1vZbx4u

If its a small-ish pump, it will likely have a 1/2" barb fitting to connect Poly or PVC hose to it. Use PVC hose for small setups as its more flexible and easier to work with.


https://www.amazon.com/Koram-Irrigation-Tubing-Distribution-Diameter/dp/B01LSC84ME/


you can buy it in small lengths at hardware and garden stores if you just need less than 100ft, but its much cheaper by the roll if you will ever use it.


If you are only watering a few plants, just run the hose from the pump, and out next to your plants (within a few feet).


Then you poke driplines into the hose near each plant (I like the brown stuff from home depot, it seems to seat better: http://www.homedepot.com/p/DIG-1-4-in-x-100-ft-Vinyl-Micro-Drip-Tubing-B38100/100212036).


This is a pain until you get the hang of it - First cut a length of the dripline to get to your plant, then cut one end off at a sharp angle (at least 45deg) then you need something to poke a small hole in the PVC hose, I use a nail punch that has been sharpened to make puncturing the tubing easier. You poke a hole in the tubing at an angle toward the pump, then quickly (and forcefully) push the angled dripline end into the hole in the hose. it will seat the first time you run water through it.


put a drip stake at the end of each dripline like this-
https://www.amazon.com/Grodan-Dripper-Stake-Degree-Bag/dp/B008UFC0B4


repeat at each plant.



put a hose clamp on the hose where it attaches to the pump, and crimp the other end so water/nutrients dont just go rushing out the end. you can just fold the hose over a couple times and zip tie it, or get a 1/2" plug and a hose clamp.

My 6 has so much creek. So what I did was...

1/4th inch drip tube in the inner seal atop my doors

That worked for a bit but the squeaky noises returned.

Next I used Gummi Pflege on the inside of every single seal within the door. So what I mean is. On the ones that attach to the body, but more importantly I spread open every one on the door and put a generous coating

Lastly,

I put Sailkote all over a rag, I mean soaked it, then rubbed it all over the felt side of the upper door seal that touches the body.

This can be purchased for a lot less with some hunting. I paid 12.99 at a local marina store

It's this one.

Inside diameter of .6"