Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Sep 12, 2007, at 12:12 AM, <eureka AT hctc.net> <eureka AT hctc.net> wrote:

> We laid pvc and drip irrigation in one half of our raised
> bed garden this spring. Overall it was successful but for
> a few issues. One is the inline pressure reducer from the
> main line keeps cracking. The first time my husband
> thought maybe he didn't let the glue set long enough, but
> it's happened again.  What's going on with this? My
> thought is to just let it leak and plant mint.

Is the line on a timer? How is the water turned on? Some sensitive  
fittings, like pressure regulators, last longer if they are actuated  
gently rather than bam. I would write to the manufacturer and ask for  
their answer.
> Another problem was where we used drip stake emitters the
> roots of the plants (mostly curcubits and squash) were so
> greedy they grew down into the emitter, eventually
> clogging and cutting off the supply, and in some cases
> killing themselves before we caught on. I'd have to go
> around weekly and cut those roots away. Those plants that
> didn't commit suicide later drowned in our torrential
> summer rains. Next year I will only use soaker tubing for
> those types.

I like soaker hoses. My only experience with home irrigation systems  
is at the Phoenix house. Such a system works okay to keep shrubs  
alive during the summer sizzle and it keeps a dog patch of lawn green  
but I don't care for it for vegetable gardening. Truth be told, a  
hand-held hose is the best way to water a garden as the gardener can  
observe each plant or area of plants and apply water accordingly.  
This works fine if the gardener has found a way to create thirty-hour  
days.
> I've never heard of home fire hydrants. What kind of water
> pressure is needed?

Turns out there is no easy answer on home fire fighting systems. I  
have started a new thread on that subject.