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43.841677 , -79.086692

I love the idea of drip tape and have been looking @ the t tape products from dripworks usa. The thought of a slow controled under the canopy drip irragation is attractive to me. Who uses it? What product do you use and what are the centers the drip line is installed on. Also, where did you buy it?

Cheers. Chris

2/5/2010 3:08:32 PM

Cortona Toscana Italy

probably for my first season i will use this sistem, a contrlolled and costant watering ,i plan to create a serie of drip tape and enlarge the fan and the number of the tape wen the pumpkins grown!

2/5/2010 10:04:12 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I use the drip system from Dripworks. Search Dripworks USA and you will find their catalog online.

2/5/2010 11:38:33 PM

Corbin, KY

I used T tape last season. grew vines in a christmas tree pattern. Also installed the drip lines in a christmas tree pattern. main line along main vine. drip tape between secondaries. worked great. added drip tape as vines grew.To weed just move tapeout of the way then move back. Will use again. Dripworks

2/5/2010 11:51:03 PM

Belgium

this is the one we use in Europe
http://www.toroag.com/main.aspx?category1=2&Category2=3&Category3=1
I have use it for the strawberries for more than 30 years now.
And started using it 2 yesr ago for pumpkins
Chris, you can see some pictures of it in my diary 2008 and 2009 and also in the diaries from Jos

2/6/2010 2:16:40 AM

Belgium

this is a video on you tube from high greenhouses and drip lines.
I huse same system for greenhouses and watering
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b67mowGD75M&feature=channel

2/6/2010 2:42:11 AM

Belgium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5KSw4LW3kU&NR=1
this video is about greenhouses
it's exactly the same greenhouse as I have

2/6/2010 2:44:05 AM

Connecticut

Hi Chris-

    I use drip tapes and I think it is a great way to efficiently water your entire plant evenly. It does take a little up front cost but the in-season advantage is worth it. My drip lines are 130ft. long and I do not notice any ‘line loss’. As long as you know what your water source can produce, you use this information and some simple calculations to make sure your set-up is realistic.
    As a result I have 4-drip tape zones that I put on a timer so that all the plants received the same amount of water. I also went the extra step of adding a rain sensor.
    
I have done some descriptions and pictures in my diary and I included some links below.

Initial set-up:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99584

Brain-Box:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99585

Early Season:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=113578

Later in the Season:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99669

Run the lines parallel to secondaries:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99670

Potential Yield:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99835

    If you have any questions just let me know.

-Matt

2/6/2010 1:23:44 PM

43.841677 , -79.086692

Thanks guys!
I have followed your diary Matt and have seen the drip lines! I will go back and check but if you have not stated can you please tell me what centers you use?

Cheers.

Chris

2/7/2010 2:29:37 PM

Ohio

I put my lines 18 inches apart. with the emiters 12 inches apart. Hope this helps.

2/7/2010 3:08:29 PM

Connecticut

I do use the T-tape brand drip lines item # T1512HR (515-12-450). The emitter spacing is 12" with a 27 GPM flow per 100' @ 8 psi. It can be purchased at http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/ttape.php

Personally, I think drip irrigation offers many advantages such as efficient watering of the entire field, application of water exactly where I want it (on the ground) and easy to set-up.

*Remember, water does not pass directly down through the soil the wetting front is a cone. Here is a picture illustrating my point:(http://www.clas.ufl.edu/jur/200311/images/williams_5.jpg)

One draw back is that the tapes can be a trip hazard in the field, but I did get used to walking with my 'patch shoes' after a short time.

-Matt

2/7/2010 4:41:41 PM

Western PA

Matt,
Did you only use drip tape ? Or do you do overhead also. I am not sure which way to go. My concern is that without overhead in the heat of the day, my plants will suffer from heat stress like last year. If I could afford both I would , but only one this year.
Lee

2/17/2010 5:15:40 PM

Connecticut

Lee-

In short, I use both.

Drip Tapes for main irrigation and then I have two over heads that ‘cool’ all the plants during the day. I have the over heads come on for only a short while and a maximum of four times a day when it is hot out.

As this picture shows I have 4 valves for the drip-lines and 2 for overhead ‘cooling’ water
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99585

This shows one of the two overheads that I have for my 10 plants (each overhead does about 5 plants)
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=115170

Sorry for the delay hope you see this and it answers your questions.

-Matt

2/26/2010 4:52:45 PM

Fresno, CA

Matt

Great info on this thread. I am going to use your tape method. One question: since the tape goes down before the main spreads out how do you bury the main as it grows? Do you train it under the tape? Do you only bury segments between tape? Or do you only bury secondaries?

-j-

3/23/2010 1:53:58 AM