Installing a Drip Irrigation System for Raised Beds 💦 (Before & After)

Thanks to www.dripdepot.com/ for donating the supplies for this drip irrigation install! As part of the 2020 Epic Garden refresh, it was time to fix up the old drip irrigation system. It wasn't BAD, it just wasn't optimal. And I had more beds to add on to the system.
I switched from drip line to drip tape for more durability and organization. I also added a footer row to the end of the drip tape for each bed for stability.
The most important thing when installing a drip irrigation system for raised beds is calculating the total gallons per hour output of your proposed system. Then, check and see if the main line tubing will support that level of output. I chose 1/2" tubing, which supports 200GPH output, and my system is well under that, so I was safe!
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[@hera6341]

I have used drip since in my 30's. It's the only way to go. At 67 yrs, I no longer have the hand strength to push the connectors in place. I have always heard try dipping the tubes in hot water. It works BUT using a lighter is so much easier. Hold the tube to the flame for 2-5 seconds and your connector will slide on like butter.

[@beastslayer9153]

Wish i read this yesterday... haha my thumbs are sore now!

[@JamesJones-kr9uv]

@@beastslayer9153 a heat gun should work also, be careful not to melt your tubing.

[@tempest031]

I just have a caliper lens thing from my Grandpa's time , just be sure not to burn the tube too much, an inspection tool for produce but it's pretty much handy to heat or pry tubing

[@TrixieJFerguson]

Thank you for this great tip. I will definitely be trying your lighter trick going forward.

[@OhShootKid]

I think I heard using ice works as well?

[@jarred19913]

Drip Line Capacity Calculation: 1) 225'-0" of 1/2" dia. main line drip tubing (200 Gallons/hr) Emitters (0.25 Gallons/hr) @ 4" o.c. (3 emitters/ft) 2) 225'-0" x (3 emitters/ft) = 675 emitters 675 emitters x 0.25 Gallons/hr = 168.75 Gallons/hr -> 169 Gallons/hr < 200 Gallons/hr -> GOOD

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

Man, I remember when this video originally came out! It seems like so long ago on one hand, yet not that long ago on the other. Keep up the amazing work, and all the learning and teaching you do! You are amazing :)

[@ronaldknight6653]

Good job in your presentation Bro. Good efficient practice of labor/water conservation in your micro raised bed garden. Keep up the great work and lets see more on your garden in the future.

[@Mooktarr]

Thank you for the explanation. Your videos have been so helpful (especially since I live in SD as well), and now that I finally have space for a raised bed I can start growing more! I've been balcony gardening for years and finally have a yard! Ordered a Birdies Bed from you that'll arrive soon, and just ordered some drip irrigation from the Drip Depot! PS - I'm very happy for you and your new homestead! That looks like a very exciting undertaking, and you have so much more space for gardening!

[@michellezito5542]

Thank you! I just ripped up my old messy drip system with the spaghetti-like drip lines and I'm trying TAPE! You've made the process very clear and easy to understand! Wonderful!

[@mikefinley4367]

Thanks for sharing. Your informative and the delivery doesn't waste time.

[@castleofcostamesa8291]

Thanks for your video! I am learning to set up drip in my garden.

[@stevengabrielejr.9228]

Great video. I have one question tho. What made you want to go with 1/2" drip line instead the 1/4" ? Dripdepot seems to be recommending 1/4" for their bed guides.Thanks for the info!

[@ozarkerwetta]

Hadn't actually considered drip irrigation's potential and promise for me. But, to think of watering several beds at once and not holding a hose or trying to connect to several different soaker hoses, I'm stoked about trying it.

[@heatherchristiano3047]

Hi Kevin. Found your channel tonight and am loving it!! I started gardening last year in raised beds and have been semi successful. :) I think I have a soil problem but that’s another question. I have 4 7x3 raised beds that right now are on a buried drip system. Each bed has two lines running the length of the bed. How far apart do you recommend spacing each line so there aren’t any dry spots? I’m wondering if I need to re space and add a middle line. Also, have you found that the irrigation lines interfere with your plant placement at all? Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge!

[@T6Tarek]

I gotta say unless it's a emergency Drip depot is where it's at, they are based in the same state as me, prices and products are aways on point

[@blue1231000]

I just did this to my three garden beds off of the top of my head no sketch hahaha took me two days but that’s because my mind changes fast and I never keep my original plan this video was a lot of help while doing it but to hide everything I went Ahead and buried everything to come up through the beds instead of back of bed with big tube going around each bed lip and 1/4tube going to each plant

[@randymercer9309]

Wow, I just ordered from Drip Depot. I can see right now, I did not order enough. Thank you for a good content in your video.

[@mariasilva-qm3kx]

WOW I GOT LOST WITH ALL THE NUMBERS.. starting my drip line this weekend. thank god for your videos... am going to copy you. lol

[@grlygirl1264]

So did I. There's no way I can calculate that....

[@THEJONESFAMILYCHANNEL]

So very helpful.. this is my next project to tackle!

[@b3arwithm3]

Thanks for details on how to plan properly. That is very helpful. It seems all your raised bed are connect at one location into the existing sprinkler in-gound system. I was wondering if it would be simple and easier to pressurize if connect multiple main lines to the in-ground system. I have a pop-up sprinkler every 12ft or so, and I can pull one main line to feed 3 raise beds. Any thought? Cheers!

[@Derrick_Harvey]

Such a great video on how to set up an irrigation system! Thanks for it!

[@epicgardening]

Thanks for watching!

[@jgrady9553]

Glad I found this before installing a system-thanks!

[@tauceti8341]

I really need to just sit down and learn all these. There's so many different numbers and components I get overwhelmed. I use a flimsy drip hose that is just painful to work with getting kinked all the time, and I have to use 1 long piece so the whole pressure problems there going to long distances. Haha. I really appreciate you tackling this subject for someone like me. I just have to go slow with this stuff. But man automatically watering your garden is seriously next level. Time to level up! :-)

[@seanettetaylor4987]

Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing this, so awesome! I did have a question though on the calculation of the equipment, you added up the accumulative feet of the length of tape, then you multiplied it by 3, and that is the part I was lost. Where did that number come from? Thanks so much for your help, really appreciate your support on home gardening, it's SO much fun, but also a lot to learn!

[@lindseywest422]

Super ultra beginner question: how do I know how much water I need in each bed, though? Like if my veggies say they need 1.5-2 inches of water per week, what does that even mean? How do I figure out the number of emitters and for how long to run the system? Don’t I need to figure out the load that my garden needs before I can design a drip system to meet that need? How would I do that?

[@ethanjennings6442]

This is a late comment, but from some googling, each 1 square foot of raised bed needs about .62 gallons of water per week to count as 1 inch. So from there you can do math to calculate the total gallons needed per week for each bed. Say for example you have a single 3'x3' bed (so 9 square feet total) multiply that by .62 and then by 1.5 inches (lower bound) and 2 inches (upper bound) and you get between 8.37 and 11.16 gallons. So let's call it an even 10 gallons per week. Once you have that number there's multiple ways to get to it by laying out different kinds of drip tape or emitters. The cool thing about drip irrigation is you can adjust the amount of time you water at the end. The only real limitations are stay below 200gph for the whole system (like he said in the video!) and also your patience for how long it'll take. For example, say you lay out drip tape that in total emits 10gph in your bed. Divide 10 gallons by 10gph and you get 1 hour! So that means turn on the system for about 1 hour every week. Or if you laid out 40gph worth of drip tape, divide 10 gallons by 40 and get 0.25 hours or 15 minutes every week.

[@dyandenmeade3232]

​@ethanjennings6442 thank you for commenting this math!

[@StreaminFreedom]

Thanks working on mine now for my 3 raised beds. Im gonna contact drip depot tomorrow.

[@Razorgirl]

I wish you’d shown us you putting the connectors together, putting the joints, the filter, the switches, etc into the hoses. I’d like to give this a go, but my confidence in my ability to do this myself is lacking.

[@KarinaVee314]

Please update when you do the spiking into the grow bags :) I'm currently starting with grow bags

[@ZokomoTV]

Thanks for the video! I've been wondering how to use a drip system with raised garden beds.

[@epicgardening]

you're welcome!

[@azevedoplumbing]

Nice work brother !!!!! Always remember that a looped system will always flow a bit better but may be overkill . Most water distribution system are designed as a loop

[@epicgardening]

Yeah true - this will end up getting looped once all beds are full!

[@hixung17]

Hey man great vid! I had a question… How is the system doing so far? Is everything durable or do you have any problems with them now?

[@chocolatelily90]

Thanks for all the great info! How do I know what PSI to use?

[@TheFarmDream]

Nice video, Thanks for the info!

[@HomeCentsWithNell]

I've wanted to set up drip irrigation for years, but it always seemed so complicated. Instead I go out twice a week with my hose and try to water everything... I'm in zone 10- I appreciate this information. Thank you

[@epicgardening]

Hopefully this helped!

[@mattingly1217]

Its easier than you think! I was in your shoes 2 years ago!

[@andrewchew7153]

Kevin, your in San Diego, CA. What’s the story behind the Texas themed Home doormat?

[@janwilliams4282]

Hi Kevin, I just discovered your channel. I just completed building 15 beds of 4 different sizes. The largest being 4 x 10. I completed the rough in of the irrigation system by running the half inch tubing to every bed and up the side of each bed. I installed a ball valve on each so I could regulate the amount of water to each bed or simply turn any of them off should I ever want to do that. I stopped there as I built these beds to be ready for next spring. But, I kind of like the drip tape that you are using as well as having a footer line. Why did you move to tape from quarter inch tubing and what kind of differences are you seeing? I like your presentation so I’m subscribing. I look for more videos from you.

[@joshbenton6420]

It would be extremely helpful if you listed parts used in the description. Thanks for the video.

[@ashtanga2000]

You can also run PVC out to your raised beds quite a distance. Just trench them down in the ground. Also put ball valves by each bed to be able to shut them off or restrict flow. And don't forget to blow out the lines to winterize it.

[@epicgardening]

Great tips here, fortunately I don't have to worry about winterizing here!

[@Severris]

What's the advantage to having a footer rail compared to just crimping or capping each end of the tube off?

[@ameisherry]

Oh you are in San Diego :) I always though you are in florida 😝 😆

[@cinderwhite]

Drip irrigation looks awesome and I want it. I am using a water wicking system made from stuff found around the house and the bees love it, but it doesn't look good and requires me manually filling reservoirs.

[@epicgardening]

Still a good use of water, but yes can get annoying

[@ebk0075]

4:31 those damn nasturtiums come out everywhere

[@coreycorsi5037]

Just got my order from Drip Depot and completely owe #EpicGardening for pointing me to them. Placed the order Monday and received it today. They’re amazingly fast at answering questions and shipping your order. Can’t wait for spring to install. Everything was 15% off and so much cheaper than buying from big box hardware store. P.S. The Urban Worm Bag Kevin recommended is also great. Waiting for first harvest to top dress in spring.

[@kerryaggen6346]

Hi Kevin. How did you know how much water pressure is coming out of the old sprinkler system, in order to match your setup to that output? Thanks.

[@MyBackyardGarden]

Great informative video. Thanks for sharing!

[@ltlbnsgarden]

Great information friend! 😊

[@epicgardening]

:)

[@michaelcarley9866]

Helpful. Thank You.

[@carolinehalim8237]

Kevin, have you considered bottom up self irrigation vs top down? If you have, why not the bottom up irrigation system?

[@dianaromero7611]

An you explain more about using the existing sprinkler system ??.👨🏽‍🌾

[@runningdrills]

I like how you have the valve at each line of drip tape. Is it possible to do that if using drip line. Not sure what that piece would be called. Thanks

[@alimumina]

Thanks !!!

[@archstanton9703]

Does the sun heat up the water that is stagnant in the black tubing before the water is turned on? I’m wondering if the hot water will cook the plants in a desert climate during the summer. Thanks for this video!

[@myobmyob2215]

Finally a front yard farm in a regular neighborhood

[@softmetals3702]

hey kevin, i'm new to this and was wondering if using an old copper 40 gallon water tank would be okay for the gravity fed drip system i want to do for the raised beds?

[@bsevde1986]

How do you attach the footer to the planter, or do you just place it in? I have 2' x 2' x 6' rounded galvanized containers.

[@HieuPhan-bt9ph]

Kevin, I have a 2' X 8' raise planter how many rows of drip tapes I need for growing either herb or vegetable such as tomatoes, etc. or typically what is the spacing of a 10' X 10' garden? thanks

[@andywdj]

do you have a video of you running the drip system. just want to see the result .

[@barbarahowarth4953]

Did you buy that trellis arch or make it? If you made it, how did you do it? Great videos. Love your channel. :D

[@epicgardening]

Bought from www.gardeners.com Jardin rose arch

[@monicawmq]

where is the trelis in 5:30 from? it's so pretty!

[@nimblecapitalgroup5053]

Great video. Is the footer row just for support or does it connect to the next bed?

[@KarinaVee314]

He said it's just to keep it organized/neat. It adds nothing to the water pressure or watering ability, he likes the look

[@jimbos441]

Hi Kevin, I'm running 340 ft of 1/4" emitter with 6" spacing. That's getting plugged into 1/2 " headers. the headers are being supplied by 3/4" rigid line from the house. My emitter is .5GPH. All hose and connectors are from Drip depot. will I have enough pressure for all that line? I,m not sure how to figure it out. I'm supplying ten 4X10' beds with 3 emitter lines in each bed. I also have a 40' long by 1'wide bed along a fence that will have one emitter line in it.

[@xxvodanhxx]

I wouldn't use end caps that's just extra parts, I would have just had two L connectors at the ends. I also added an auto timer. If the parts weren't free I don't think I would have updated it.

[@fernandomiramontes7091]

Did you flush all the lines to get debris out of it before the final installation were the filter takes care of all that?

[@hightreegarden]

man, I've spent so much money trying to figure this out.. I'm on an allotment and trying to do the whole thing lol. One tap isn't enough it seems and pumps are hella expensive!!

[@northerngrandma2336]

Where can I find guidance for winterizing a drip system? I garden in USDA Zone 3S so the freeze line can be 3 feet deep.

[@hixung17]

I see that you got the tubes to be bigger than the standard size. Do you have happen to have the sizes of tubes and fittings link? It would help me because I DO NOT have any idea how them fit.

[@MarkDHastingsMusic]

I live in a colder climate and have to be able to Winterize. How difficult would it be to purge this system of leftover water?

[@memejeff]

super cool :)

[@natoo55]

Would you ever put a smart timer on your system?

[@martylynchian8628]

is your house zone for residential? It look like your backyard is in the middle of a large city and a busy intersection where a shopping center should be.

[@D.A.Hanks14]

Burying your drip tape is great, until you forget exactly where it is, and whack it with your trowel or rake. How does drip tape work compared to a soaker hose?

[@HerculesRealtor]

I didn’t have any luck with dripdepot customer service last year or so. I emailed them my garden layout and design, and never heard from them. A bit disappointed, and surprised as I told them I’m ready to buy.

[@voluntaryanarchy7736]

I have two 4x8 vegetable raised beds that I have yet to grow anything in. What would you recommend for irrigation for these? I don't know how to effectively identify a quality brand or solution online because there are so many options and so many fake reviews.

[@raderchakk]

Is your whole garden on one valve? How do you account for plants that need more/less water than others on the same valve?

[@thrash2429]

I just noticed your Texas "home" mat. Are you originally from Texas?

[@ecolife3656]

Just sent Drip Depot an email asking for help. Mentioned EG. Thanks for the info!

[@epicgardening]

Appreciate you!

[@prior4390]

New at all. I am seeding inside and I have about ten plants. Would I separate each plant and make several plants of the same plant? Example I have cilantro. In one cup, are they more than one? Show me how

[@gustavobaez6820]

Hi Kevin... wondering how apart for drip line rows... 6 inches

[@AleciaHart-dl1od]

What is the footer piece benefit and purpose?

[@slvice14]

How often do you replace your filter?

[@-ssch]

How to account the total tubing if we are just starting a garden/backyard

[@NorthIdahoRealEstate]

What drip tape did you use?

[@ChrisChinners]

Any brands you recommend for 1/2 end plugs?

[@s.strongest160]

How often and for how long do you water for ?

[@mattingly1217]

Makes life easier... way easier

[@priscillaperry6463]

I can't be the only one hearing "the hetero" lol

[@Wesley22619]

Now that I've read your comment that's all I hear 🤭

[@christinathompson112]

Header row

[@pete3816]

@@christinathompson112 Christina, he already knew what it was. R/whoosh!!

[@broken10100]

Also wanting to know why you went 1/2 to 1/2 instead of 1/2 to 1/4th?

[@thuthiehiker]

What is the purpose of footer row. Does it make it more stable. Couldn’t you just add end caps. Is that drip tape or tubing?

[@TexasIndiafarm]

Can we just hook to a hose. Because I have a well and it’s far away and I don’t have a sprinkler

[@zacd4064]

I am on Dripdepot website looking at the drip tape and see several brands. What brand did you go with for the drip tape and would you recommend it?

[@zacd4064]

Oh and do you have a preference on the thickness? I see there are several mil thicknesses.

[@lifeincaliforniausa7304]

Hi, can you give us the list of material you use and I will figure out how many I need for my garden. Thank you

[@whoknowes1]

THINK... draw it out if you have any questions. There are a ton of videos and lots of information at all of the manufacturers web sites. Try learning.

[@NoPe-no4sn]

Yea, neeeeeeeeeeevermind!

[@cassieoz1702]

Like your Aussie made raised beds 😉. Drip tape doesnt seem to be available to domestic growers here in Australia. I'm using drip hose with emitters every 25cm

[@epicgardening]

Oh bummer! They should offer some with tighter-spaced emitters!

[@cassieoz1702]

@@epicgardening i generally plant small things in groups of four arrayed around an emitter

[@cathleencaratan3373]

Ok my head hurts. 🤦🏼‍♀️ It’s probably because I’m more of a hands on learner.

[@richardmchale12345]

Thanks, Kevin. Great info! (2022)

[@lillianhackathorn9158]

I am in the process of starting my raised gardens in MA. My question is, how do I determine the amount of water pressure coming out of my faucet?

[@Mark-sn6kh]

They make tools for this. They just screw on your spigot and will show output pressure on a gauge. The Home Depots around here sell them for $10.

[@vanschermerhorn7167]

Can you send me the formula for figuring your drip irrigation ? What name brands are there which one did you like best ? thank you

[@ThePositron2]

What is the point of the footer? nvm at the end he says he didn't want to put a spike at the end, it's just to enforce the grid.

[@jmiogo]

How long do you water? Frequency?

[@JonesLeFae]

It looks as though your drip line hose already has holes in it. I have been setting up drip irrigation in my yard for the first time and my boyfriend bought the Rain Drip kit, and we ended up going and buying more hose and drip emitter lines. The only thing is, the lines do not have hole in them. They just run to a spray or drip emitter at the end of the line. That isn't going to work for me because I have so many plants that I would have to run a million lines from the main line. I currently have some on sprayers in order to cover more area, but I don't want the spray on my tomatoes. Is it okay to just punch holes in the lines that I have?

[@chrisngo73]

Hi, can you explain why you choose an end row instead of just independent end caps?

[@bewmorg]

You could put a flush valve on one end of the row instead of at the end of each line? I'm really not sure though.

[@barbaralight4192]

Hi Kevin: I would like to know where to buy the raised beds shown in your videos. I looked at the Drip Depot site but did not see the beds. Where are they available?

[@miriamrobarts]

He puts a lot of info in the description section (look just below the video & click "SHOW MORE" to get all the info). Birdies Raised Beds: shop.epicgardening.com

[@gaffle7646]

I'm finding the dripdepot setup confusing. I don't see kits right on their website, only a-la-cart stuff.