This article is all about drip irrigation lines and whether they can be buried or not. Drip irrigation is another option that you can have when watering your plants. It makes sure that all plants receive an equal amount of water. A series of tubes are usually buried on the ground, but many people are wondering if it is an ideal thing to do or not.
Should you bury drip irrigation lines? You can bury drip irrigation lines under the ground. However, it is not recommended. Burying the lines can cause a lot of bad than good. For instance, the irrigation tube can squeeze because of the weight of the soil. This will lead to cutting off of the water flow and can also damage the system.
How long can a drip irrigation system line be? Why is it best not to bury drip irrigation lines? What is the best drip irrigation tubing? How to hide drip irrigation lines? These are some of the things that we will discuss. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and information.
Why is it Best Not to Bury Drip Irrigation Lines?
It is best not to bury drip irrigation lines because burrowing pests like gophers and rodents can chew through the tubing. Because the lines are underground, locating the leak can be hard. When it comes to burying the drip irrigation lines, make sure to regularly check and inspect the system to determine if everything works properly. After digging the trench for the irrigation lines, see to it that the system is pressurized before burying it. Furthermore, it is ideal that you install an air vent vacuum relief valve in subsurface systems.
How Long Can a Drip Irrigation Line Be?
The length of the irrigation line depends on its width and the water pressure. To get the best results, the length and width of the irrigation tube should be properly proportioned. Moreover, you need to consider the water pressure of the drip irrigation line. Take note that having too many fittings and pressure can blow out of the irrigation line.
What is the Best Drip Irrigation Tubing?
The best drip irrigation tubing depends on your needs and preferences. You need to consider many things like the size of your garden, the amount of water that the plants needs, and the material of the tubing. Drip irrigation tubing that is made of polyethylene is a popular choice for homeowners. Polyethylene is a durable material so you can rest assured that it will last for a long time.
When Should I Use Drip Irrigation?
Drip irrigation is ideal for large gardens. The lines are flexible which makes them an ideal choice for gardens or lawns that have sloped grounds. We have also shared this article titled, is an irrigation system worth the cost? Check out the article to learn more about the topic.
How to Hide Drip Irrigation Lines
To hide drip irrigation lines, you can cover the hoses with mulch, camouflage them with the colors in your garden, or run them beneath raised beds. Hiding drip irrigation lines is a good alternative if you do not want to bury them underground. Below are some of the ways on how to camouflage drip irrigation lines so that they do not cause any visual distractions.
Use Color Camouflage
One way to hide drip irrigation lines in your garden is to use color camouflage. Drip irrigation lines come in various colors to choose from. An easy way to camouflage the surface of the drip lines is to choose colors that match the surroundings. Brown or black drip irrigation lines can easily blend with the dark earth. They will blend with the background rather than stand out.
Cover Drip Irrigation Lines with Mulch
Another way to hide drip irrigation lines without burying them is to cover them with mulch. This is ideal for both cold and hot environments. Burying the irrigation lines in mulch can help protect them from melting or cracking. Choose drip line colors that match the surroundings so you do not need to cover them deep in mulch.
Make sure to cover the drip lines about two to three inches deep in mulch. This will effectively hide the lines while keeping the soil around them hydrated. Check out the best type of mulch that you can use for your area.
Running Beneath Raised Beds
This is a good trick that you can use when it comes to hiding drip irrigation lines in backyard farms as well as urban homesteads. If you are planning your garden, make sure to consider where to place your raised beds. Construct them in a way that you can run the drip lines below or through them. Using this method, the hoses can water the raised beds at ground level without being an eyesore.
How to Install Drip Irrigation Lines
There are steps that you need to consider when it comes to installing drip irrigation lines which include attaching the above-ground tubing, cutting the tubing, attaching it into a connector and emitter, attaching it to the mainline, and staking down the tubes. Proper installation of drip irrigation lines is a must to make sure that they will provide adequate water and will also last for a long time. Let us learn more about these steps below.
Attach Above-Ground Tubing
The first step that you need to do is to attach the above-ground tubing. You might need to hire professionals to install a sprinkler system so that you can attach above-ground tubing that measures about ½ inches.
Cut the Tubing
The next step is to cut the tubing. Measure ¼ inches into the tubing and cut the sections. This is also referred to as the distribution tubing which is long enough so that it reaches inside the perimeter of the plants. Make sure that the end of the emitter is not placed right next to the stem of the plant. Cut the tubes shorter as the plant grows. Also, make sure to move them away from the plant as it matures. This is important to strengthen the root base of the plant.
Attach Tubing to a Connector
The next step is to attach the tubing to a connector and an emitter. To do this, plug a connector at one side of the tube and the emitter to the other side.
Attach Tubing to Main Line
Using an insert tool, make a hole into the main ½ inches tube. Place the connector end of the tubing to the mainline.
Stake Tubes
The last step is to take the tubes under the plant canopy and stake them later with a steel wire. Make sure to cover them with mulch. It is recommended that you do not bury the drip irrigation lines because underground pests will chew them up. The use of an emitter running to a small bowl is to distract wildlife away from the drip irrigation lines while covering the rest of the system with mulch.
✅ Video – How to setup Drip Irrigation
Farmers Friend shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how to set-up a drip irrigation. If you are interested to install one in your lawn, check out the video for tips and information.
Is a Soaker Hose or Drip Irrigation Better?
Drip irrigation is better as compared to a soaker hose. It is among the best methods when it comes to planting large-scale crops and plants. The advantage of a drip irrigation system is that it sends water directly to the roots of the plants. As a result, the evaporation process is reduced.
How Deep Should Drip Irrigation Lines Be Buried?
How deep the drip irrigation lines need to be buried will have to depend on your gardening needs. The first thing that you need to do is to dig trenches from the valves and run them where you want to place the tubing. Make sure that the PVC pipe is at least about twelve inches deep. On the other hand, the poly tubing used for drip irrigation should be six inches deep. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what an in-ground irrigation system is. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
How Long Does Drip Line Last?
The lifespan of a drip line last will have to depend on its use, material, and installation. Generally, the conventional drip system can last about 10 to 15 years with the proper maintenance. While it saves water, it also generates more garbage because it is not as durable as compared to other irrigation systems and you need t change it after a few years. We have also shared this article that discusses if drip or spray irrigation is better. You can check out the article for an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if you should bury drip irrigation lines. We have found out that while you can bury drip irrigation lines, it is best not to do it. Burying the drip lines can make them an easy target to underground animals like gophers and moles. They can get into the drip lines and cause it to leak. We have also shared tips on how you can hide your drip line without burying it. Thank you for reading!