Hi everyone! I'm about to set up my first drip irrigation system and have everything planned out. However, I've realized that the initial section of drip line will run over grass before reaching my mulched garden beds. I'm wondering what the best approach is here: should I mow over the line, bury it, or perhaps use PVC instead of flexible drip lines if I decide to bury it? I'd really appreciate any advice you all can offer!
3 Answers
I recently dealt with a similar situation when I installed my drip system. I used an edger to create a little path in the grass and carefully lifted the grass to make space for the flexible tubing. After fitting the tubing in place, I pressed the grass back down, and it tends to grow back pretty well. Just make sure the tubing isn't too deep because you'll need to winterize the system later.
I never had issues with my drip lines freezing, but if you want to be safe, consider using a nursery spade to create a V shape in the soil and push it down in there.
You might want to consider running a regular garden hose that's meant to be buried. Just dig a shallow trench a few inches deep and lay down the hose from your water source, then switch to your drip line as you reach the garden area. Just keep track of where it is once you’ve buried it!
Gotcha. Thanks for the tip!
My drip system isn't exactly fancy, given the chaos of my garden layout. While I don't have any grass to mow in that area, I have hoses running where I do a lot of wheelbarrow work. To keep things easy, I just use quick-connect fittings on my hoses and drip lines. This way, I can easily disconnect them when necessary and move them out of the way when I'm busy working in the garden.
I had the same thought! A quick connect at the garden side would definitely make it easier when I need to mow.
Makes sense. So after winterizing, the tubing can stay underground? That was one of my main concerns.