Designing and Planning Your Drip Irrigation System

Design Drip Watering Zones by Plant Groups

- Flower Beds & Ground Cover
- Trees & Shrubs
- Vegetable Gardens
- Containers, Pots & Boxes

Plants of similar sizes and growth habits generally have  watering requirements that are much the same. When planning your drip irrigation system always try to group watering zones by plant moisture needs and local climate conditions (shade, partial shade , full sun). 

Consider the following when planning your drip irrigation system:

• Plants that need frequent, shallow watering, like annual flowers and ground cover, should be grouped separately from those needing less frequent, deep watering, like trees.

• Seasonal plantings like crops or vegetable gardens should be kept separate from permanent plantings like shrubs. Plan on installing inexpensive drip irrigation flow control valves to shut off these areas when not in use.

• Create separate drip watering zones for plants in the shade versus hot, sunny spots.

• Container plants should be watered separately from plants in the ground. They have confined root systems and may dry  out more quickly.

Determine Your Soil Type:

Water puddles in hard, tightly bound soil and may eventually runoff. Apply water slowly to clay soils so that it has time to penetrate into the root zone. In sandy soils, water flows down in a narrow pattern. Space drip irrigation emitters closer together to ensure full coverage of the root zone. The guidelines below will help you on planning your drip irrigation system to adapt to your specific landscape.

Sandy Soil (loose): Grip a handful tightly, when released it will fall apart.

Loamy Soil (normal): Grip a handful tightly, when released it will hold together, but can easily be broken apart.

Clay Soil (hard): Grip a handful tightly, when released it will hold together and is not easy to break apart.

Emitter Recommendations by Plant & Soil Type:

     Flower Beds & Ground Cover - Sandy Soil

Individual Plants

Drip Emitters (1gph):

1 gph PCE Drip Emitter

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/4" tubing, size 250):

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll

Groups of Plants

Large Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/2" tubing, size 700):

1/2 gph at 12"spacing - 100 ft roll

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 400 ft roll

Small Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/4" tubing, size 250):

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll

Spray fittings:

Micro Jets-Sprayers

Rows of Plants

Drip Emitters (1/2 gph, 1gph):

1 gph PCE Drip Emitter 

Large Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/2" tubing, size 700):

1/2 gph at 12"spacing - 100 ft roll

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 400 ft roll

Small Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/4" tubing, size 250):

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll

     Flower Beds & Ground Cover - Loamy or Clay Soil

Individual Plants

Drip Emitters (1/2 gph, 1gph):

1/2 gph PCE Drip Emitter 

1 gph PCE Drip Emitter

Groups of Plants

Large Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/2" tubing, size 700): 

1 gph at 18"spacing - 100 ft roll

1 gph at 18" spacing - 400 ft roll

Small Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/4" tubing, size 250):

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll

Spray fittings:

Micro Jets-Sprayers

Rows of Plants

Drip Emitters (1/2 gph, 1gph):

1/2 gph PCE Drip Emitter 

1 gph PCE Drip Emitter

Large Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/2" tubing, size 700):

1 gph at 18"spacing - 100 ft roll

1 gph at 18" spacing - 400 ft roll

Small Plants

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/4" tubing, size 250):

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll

     Trees & Shrubs - All Soil Types

Small Shrubs & Roses (up to 4' high)

1-2 Drip Emitters per plant (2 gph-Sandy,1 gph-Loam, 1/2 gph-Clay):

2 gph PCE Drip Emitter

1/2 gph PCE Drip Emitter

1 gph PCE Drip Emitter

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/2" tubing, size 700).

Tip: Loop emitter tubing around base of plant for best coverage.

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll (Clay & Loam)

1/2 gph at 18" spacing - 100 ft roll (Loam)

Adjustable Stream Bubblers

Stream Bubbler on Stake - Full Circle

Stream Bubbler on Stake - Half Circle

Stream Bubbler with barb - Full Circle

Stream Bubbler with barb - Half Circle

Medium Shrubs & Trees (2' to 4' high)

2 Drip Emitters per plant (2 gph-Sandy,1 gph-Loam, 1/2 gph-Clay)

Tip: Install 12" from base of plant on either side

2 gph PCE Drip Emitter

1/2 gph PCE Drip Emitter

1 gph PCE Drip Emitter

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/2" tubing, size 700).

Tip: Loop emitter tubing around base of pant for best coverage.

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll (Clay & Loam)

1/2 gph at 18" spacing - 100 ft roll (Loam)

Adjustable Stream Bubblers on a stake

Stream Bubbler on Stake - Full Circle

Stream Bubbler on Stake - Half Circle

Stream Bubbler with barb - Full Circle

Stream Bubbler with barb - Half Circle

Larger Shrubs & Trees (4' to 6' high)

2-4 Drip Emitters per plant placed in a loop around the tree canopy

Sandy Soil: 4 - 2 gph emitters 2 gph PCE Drip Emitter (12" - 18" spacing)

Loamy Soil: 2 to 3 - 1 gph emitters 1 gph PCE Drip Emitter (18" spacing) 

Clay Soil: 4 - 1/2 gph emitters 1/2 gph PCE Drip Emitter (12" - 18" spacing)

Drip Emitter Tubing (1/2" tubing, size 700).

Tip: Loop emitter tubing around base of plant for best coverage.

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 100 ft roll (Clay & Loam) 

1/2 gph at 12" spacing - 400 ft roll (Clay & Loam) 

1/2 gph at 18" spacing - 100 ft roll (Loam) 

1/2 gph at 18" spacing - 400 ft roll (Loam)

1 gph at 18" spacing - 100 ft roll (Loam & Sand)

1 gph at 18" spacing - 400 ft roll (Loam & Sand)

Large Trees (6' and up)

5 Drip Emitters per plant placed in a loop around the tree canopy

Sandy & Loamy Soil:  2 gph emitters 2 gph PCE Drip Emitter (12" - 18" spacing)

Clay Soil: 2 gph emitters 2 gph PCE Drip Emitter (18" - 24" spacing)

Here's a list of all the parts discussed in this tutorial.

For a complete listing of all our irrigation products, Irrigation Direct