The Drip Irrigation Handbook

Transcription

The Drip Irrigation Handbook
The Urban Farmer Store
®
DRIP IRRIGATION HANDBOOK
The Catalog for Getting Started
25th Anniversary Edition – by Tom Bressan
• Drip irrigation • Sprinkler Systems • Outdoor Lighting • Pond & Fountain Equipment •
When we published our first do-it-yourself
manual and drip catalog in 1981, The Urban Farmer
already had five years experience designing and
installing drip systems. Our publications on drip
irrigation are used in college horticultural classes
and distributed by water departments nationwide to
help people conserve water. As well as being a mail
order house, we have three stores located in the San
Francisco Bay Area. We stock over 10,000 irrigation
and landscape products, including lawn sprinklers,
outdoor lighting, and water feature supplies. This
catalog focuses on reliable high-quality examples of
the most commonly used drip irrigation parts. If you
need other choices or more help, experienced sales
staff are available to answer questions and fill telephone orders. Please visit urbanfarmerstore.com
for more information.
Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30
pm PST and Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm.
�� �
��� �
��
���������
��
� �� � �� ���
Our Guarantee
There is a 30-day money back guarantee on
all products. If you are not entirely satisfied with
any product, return it within 30 days and we will
promptly refund your total purchase less shipping
charges. Defective parts will be repaired or replaced
free of charge when they are returned freight prepaid within one year of purchase. We carry products
that have been field tested for their dependability
and durability. Some products carry manufacturer’s
warranties for longer than one year. Please write for
specific warranty information.
CONTENTS
Introduction................................................................1
Applications
Landscape ..........................................................2
Containers .........................................................2
Vegetables..........................................................3
Lawns .................................................................4
Orchards ............................................................5
Vineyards ...........................................................5
Design
Planning .............................................................6
Emitter placement .............................................6
Sizing your components ....................................7
Assembly
Hose-thread assembly........................................8
Pipe-thread assembly.........................................8
Lines and Fittings ...............................................8
Emitters ..............................................................9
Assembly tips .....................................................9
System Use
Scheduling ...................................................... 10
Maintenance................................................... 10
Parts Catalog
Drip emitters ................................................... 11
Sprays ............................................................. 12
Emitter line, Sub-surface emitter line .............. 13
Tubing............................................................. 14
Fittings ............................................................ 15
Punches, Stakes, and Clips.............................. 16
Backflow preventers........................................ 17
Filters............................................................... 17
Pressure regulators .......................................... 18
Fertilizer injectors ............................................ 18
Hose-end controls........................................... 21
Irrigation Timers.............................................. 19
Valves, Wire, and Splices ................................. 20
Instant Manifolds/Useful Items ....................... 21
Self-Adjusting Evapotranspiration Controllers 22
Sprinkler to Drip Conversion + multi-outlet
emitters ........................................................... 23
Pumps... .......................................................... 24
Introduction to Spriklers & Rotors .................. 24
Introduction to Outdoor Lighting .................. 26
Ordering Information.............................27
® THE URBAN FARMER STORE IS A REGISTERED SERVICE MARK OF THE URBAN FARMER STORE, INC. ALL OTHERS ARE THE SERVICE MARKS OR
TRADE MARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS AND MAY BE REGISTERED.
©2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
Introduction to Drip Irrigation
Advantages
A drip system produces healthy,
fast-growing plants. In fact, improved
crop yields were the primary force behind the development of drip irrigation
for agriculture.
In traditional watering methods
there is an extreme fluctuation in the
water content, temperature, and aeration of the soil, resulting in plant stress.
Drip watering keeps the moisture
content of soil relatively constant and
ensures that oxygen remains available
to the root system.
For many gardeners, water conservation is the main reason for installing
a drip system. When you water your
garden, your purpose is to water plants
rather than soil. Drip irrigation gives
you the ability to put water exactly
where it’s needed and keep paths and
areas between plants dry. This reduces
both waste and weeding.
You can regulate precisely the
amount of water used during irrigation
so that nearly all of it remains in the
root zone. Water lost to evaporation is
negligible compared to overhead watering.
Traditional watering methods
deliver water faster than most soils
can absorb. If water exceeds the soil’s
percolation rate, it can only run off the
surface, taking valuable topsoil and
nutrients with it. On a slope, drip can
be designed for minimum run-off and,
is often the only means of bringing a
hillside into cultivation.
Another advantage of drip is that
you can deliver equal amounts of water
to plants over a wide area. This is very
hard to accomplish with other methods
of irrigation. Drip irrigation saves so
much water that it is required by California law as the way to water narrow
or sparse plantings in new commercial
and larger residential landscapes.
A drip irrigation system is easy to
Drip irrigation is the slow
and precise delivery of
water to chosen plantings.
It uses flexible polyethylene
tubing with devices for
dripping water (emitters)
and low-volume sprays.
The systems are easy
to install, require no
trenching, and the only
tools needed are pruning
shears and a punch.
Drip irrigation maintains
near-perfect moisture
levels in the root zone of
plants, avoiding the too
wet/too dry swings typical
of overhead watering. Drip
systems are controlled by
hand or by an automatic
timer, and can also be used
to apply fertilizers directly
to the roots of plants.
Drip systems irrigate all
types of landscape: shrubs,
trees, perennial beds,
ground covers, annuals
and lawns. Drip is the
best choice to water roof
gardens, containers on
decks and patios, row
crops and kitchen gardens,
orchards, and vineyards.
Systems range in size from
a few hanging baskets to
several thousand acres of
crops.
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
install. Since no trenching is needed,
you can install a system in an existing landscape with no damage to your
plants’ root systems. Tubing will be
overgrown by ground cover, or it can
be quickly concealed with mulch. Drip
irrigation also allows you to water a
large area from a small water source,
since it uses water more slowly than
other methods.
Installing drip to new plants will
help them develop deep roots which
are more resistant to dry spells.
However, the greatest advantage
for the home gardener is time savings.
The simple action of opening a valve
replaces all the time spent watering
by hand. With the addition of an automatic timer, you can go on vacation or
cope with a busy schedule while your
garden flourishes without you.
How To Use This Handbook
The following pages will help you
design, purchase, and install a drip irrigation system tailored to your own
garden. The last half of this catalog
illustrates a selection of drip components and other products that we have
found useful for home gardeners.
All the products shown here are
proven, low-cost agricultural quality
equipment suitable for use in home
gardens. When a farmer installs and
operates several acres of drip equipment, any weaknesses in design or
manufacture become apparent pretty
quickly.
If you don’t find what you are
looking for, call us. We carry a larger
inventory of both drip and sprinkler
equipment than this catalog represents,
and will usually have the irrigation part
you need. We encourage you to draw
your garden on the graph paper in the
back of the catalog and start laying
plans for your drip system.
1
APPLICATIONS
Landscape
Landscape plantings with various
water needs are often mixed together
in one garden. Ideally, each group of
plants with similar needs is watered
by a separate zone of the irrigation
system, controlled by a valve.
In practice the number of zones
you set up will also be influenced
by the size of the garden. A small
ornamental garden is often divided
into only two zones—one requiring
frequent, relatively shallow watering
and the other infrequent, deeper water.
A large landscape might require different zones for hedges, trees, a shade
garden, perennial beds in full sun, an
area of native plants and so on.
You’ve probably noticed that
certain areas of your garden dry out
faster than others, depending on exposure to sun and wind, differing soil
drainage, and competition from tree
roots for available water. A small garden where the plants have essentially
similar water needs can be handled
with a single zone. You can insert
faster drippers or more drippers to
take care of thirstier plants.
Hedges, perennial beds, and trees
each lend themselves to different
styles of drip layout. Dense plantings
such as hedges, annual borders, and
ground covers are typically watered
using emitter lines, tubing with pre-
Landscape
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
inserted drip emitters spaced at regular
intervals. Irregular plantings such as
shrubs and perennial beds are most
often watered with individual drippers
chosen for the needs of each plant.
...each group of plants with
similar needs is watered by a
separate zone of the irrigation
system, controlled by a valve.
Small sprays attached to the drip
system are also useful in mixed landscape. A common design is to water
the ground cover between shrubs with
sprays, while adding extra water near
the base of each shrub with drip emitters. Another good use of sprays is to
water small plants or ground cover
growing among rocks or flagstones. For
a summary of drip vs. microsprays see
the comparison chart on page 7.
The best layout to water trees and
large shrubs is to stake a tail of emitter
line halfway between the trunk and canopy. Newly planted trees need at least
two drippers directly on their root ball.
a good idea to keep a few repair parts
on hand just in case.
Containers
Plants in containers, which dry
out faster than those in the ground, are
prime candidates for an automatic drip
system. Hand watering is very time
consuming and the plants suffer immediately when watering is neglected.
A container drip system should
always be zoned separately because
its watering schedule is unique. Container plants need frequent waterings
for only 2 to 5 minutes at a time.
In a container system, a 1/2" or 3/8"
line is run below or behind the plants,
under the railing, or under the deck itself. Smaller tubing (1/4") goes to each
container. The 1/4" tubing is available
in various colors to help hide it. It can
also be run through the container’s
drainage hole.
The flexibility of drip irrigation allows one to remove individual emitters
from a system by replacing them with
a “goof plug” or to add new emitters or
lines to a system with little worry about
design. If a line is accidentally cut, it
easily is repaired with a connector. It’s
All but the smallest containers
need several emitters placed in them
because their soil is so loose that
water from each emitter moves downward without much sideways spread.
The irrigation strategy is to place drip
emitters 6" apart, or to attach small adjustable bubblers to spread the water.
Useful products from the catalog are
mini-inline emitters, 1/4" emitter lines,
shrubblers, and vortex sprays, all il-
������
���������������
�����������
�����
�������
����������
����������
������������
���������������
2
Call toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
APPLICATIONS
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
lustrated on pages 11-13. In containers
less than 6" diameter, individual drip
emitters will suffice.
A single 1/4" line can supply water to several containers. Add up the
flow rates of the emitters that you are
planning to use and compare with the
maximum flow rates for the different
types of 1/4" tubing (page 14). Emitters for containers can apply as little
as 1/2 gallon per hour or as much as
10 gph.
Adjusting the number and size
of emitters in a container drip system
takes some experimenting, especially
if the containers are of different sizes.
Run the system and see which containers the water runs out of first. You
either have to decrease the flow in
these or increase the flow rate to the
other containers on the system. This
process will also help you set the run
time for the system.
Vegetables
Vegetables prosper when the surrounding soil is kept quite moist, but
frequent overhead watering encourages rust, mildew, blossom damage, and
disease. Closely spaced drip emitters can thoroughly water an area
without wetting the plant leaves. In
the rich soil of a well-prepared vegetable bed, drip irrigation produces
spectacular growth and yields.
Rows and intensive beds are
watered using emitter lines, with
drippers 12" apart along the line. If
plants are more widely spaced and
deeply rooted (for example, tomatoes and squash), a single emitter
can be placed at the base of each
plant.
Root crops such as carrots,
onions, and radishes can be planted
two deep on each side of a single
emitter line. With plants such as
corn, strawberries, and peppers, one
row on each side is preferable.
In intensive bed gardening, the
system should be set up with parallel
emitter lines 16" apart. If the bed is 4
feet wide, three lines will give complete coverage. This system does not
need to be changed when plantings
change. Extra sprays and even individual emitters can be added for any
plants that need extra water.
In the rich soil of a wellprepared vegetable bed, drip
irrigation produces spectacular growth and yields.
If overhead water is needed, for
instance when growing salad greens
from seed in a hot climate, then halfcircle jet sprays can be installed on
poly tubing along the edges of the
beds instead of using parallel emitter
lines.
Polytubing & emitterline used
in drip irrigation contains no lead
and are proven safe & non-toxic for
watering food crops. Garden hoses &
porous "soaker" hoses may contain
lead & other toxins.
Vegetables
1/2" Poly
Tee
Emitter line
Containers
�������
��������
������
�����������
��������
�����������
��������������
�����������
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
Path
Emitters
3
APPLICATIONS
Lawns
Drip irrigation for lawn watering
is finally moving out of the experimental stage. Five years of independent tests at the Center for Irrigation
Technology comparing many products and installation methods
in the extreme heat of California’s
Central Valley give us confidence
in recommending this option. When
properly installed with air vents
and automatic flushing ends, subsurface emitter lines are proving very
reliable.
The advantages over conventional lawn sprinklers include significant water savings, especially on hot
or windy sites, and a surprising decline in turf diseases. Weed invasion
may also be significantly reduced in
healthy, dense turf since there is no
topical moisture to encourage seed
germination.
Subsurface lawn irrigation is
particularly valuable on lawns where
efficient sprinkler layout is difficult,
such as steep slopes, long narrow
strips, and odd shapes of all sorts.
A typical layout for a subsurface
lawn system is shown below. Emitter lines are placed in parallel rows
4" to 6" below the soil. Spacing var-
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
ies with soil type. In heavy clay soils,
use 18" between lines, with emitters
18" apart on the lines. Tighter spacing
is needed in lighter soils because the
lateral water spread is not as great.
The closest spacing ever needed is 12"
between lines, with emitters 12" apart
on the lines.
The lines are connected by headers on both ends. An automatic flush
valve is attached to the header farthest
from the water supply and is located
in a valve box (see diagram). The
flush valve allows any sediment to
escape from the tubing each time the
system starts up, and then closes down
after it expels about 1 gallon of water.
The air vent operates after the
system has shut down and is draining. It permits air to replace water in
the tubing and minimizes suction of
sediment into the emitters. An air vent
should be installed for each zone at
the high point and can be buried in a
valve box that has good drainage. If
an anti-siphon valve is used to turn the
system on and off, you do not need an
additional air vent.
Emitter lines can be placed under the soil in several ways: by hand
trenching; with a mechanical trencher
that cuts a narrow slot; or with a pipe-
pulling vibratory plow. Another possibility when you’re undertaking extensive soil amendment is to lay the tubing
before the final 4" of soil is spread. Site
conditions will usually suggest the most
economical approach.
An advantage of drip for lawns
is the good control you have over the
amount of water that different areas
receive. For instance, if a berm, a slope,
and flat areas of turf are irrigated on the
same valve, you can place tubing close
together on the berm to increase the precipitation rate and use normal spacing
for the flat areas, with greater distance
between lines as you approach the bottom of the slope. Emitter lines next to
walkways and patios should be located
no more than 4" from the hard edge to
prevent dry strips.
Subsurface lawn irrigation is
particularly valuable on lawns
where efficient sprinkler layout
is difficult, such as steep slopes,
windy areas, long narrow
strips and odd shapes of all
sorts.
Lawns
Air Vent
Flush Valve
4
Call toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
APPLICATIONS
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
Orchards
Drip irrigation is widely used
in commercial orchards. Slow, deep
waterings and precision control
encourage tree growth without the
oversaturation and weeds that flood
or sprinkler irrigation can bring.
Equal amounts of water can be delivered to each tree.
The changing water needs of
growing trees can be easily met if
you size your piping to the trees’
mature water needs. Saplings can
start with one emitter at the base of
each tree, and emitters can be added
as needed. The drawings below illustrate some common layouts:
1. Run lines down rows of trees and
place emitters at base of each tree.
2. Run lines along rows about 3 feet
on either side of trees to encourage
balanced root growth.
Vineyards
Even the largest and most oldfashioned wine-grape growers have
converted to drip irrigation, and for
good reason: Drip irrigation provides
excellent water management, reduces
runoff and erosion on slopes, discourages harmful mold, and produces better
fruit.
The preferred method of installation is to tie tubing to a wire suspended
about 18" off the ground attached to the
grape stakes. At this height, the tubing
doesn’t interfere with weeding.
Once tied on, the tubing is allowed
to unwind for a few days so that when
the emitters are punched into the
bottom of the tubing, they stay pointed
down. The drip will then fall where
intended instead of running along the
tubing. Since vineyard rows are often
long and on uneven terrain, pressurecompensating emitters should be used.
A typical layout involves a rigid
PVC supply line underground at the
ends of the rows, flexible PVC with
a hose-thread filter to bring water for
each row above ground, and then 1/2"
poly tubing along each row. Each vine
is watered with one, or better yet, two
emitters. Lateral lines can be over
1000' long depending on emitter size
and vine spacing.
Vineyards
3. “Tee off” each line with a loop
around each tree to water the entire
circumference of the root zone.
4. Use sprays with sandy soil if cultivation methods allow. One or two
jet sprays on stands can cover the
entire root zone of a tree.
Tubing
Emitters
Trees
1
2
3
4
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
A fertilizer injector is a
useful addition to your
vineyard or orchard drip
system. By allowing you
to deliver nutrients directly to the root zone,
an injector can help produce maximum plant
growth. It can also be
used to treat mineral deposits and algae growth.
Using only the existing
water pressure, they are
simple to install and require no outside power
sources.
5
DESIGN
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
Planning
To aid planning and design, all
systems should be sketched to scale on
graph paper. (You can use the inside
back cover of this catalog.) Draw a
plan of your yard or garden indicating
areas of ground cover, flower and vegetable beds, lawns, and patios. Note on
your drawing the location of hedges,
shrubs, trees, and also retaining walls
and driveways that will act as barriers
to your piping.
Take an overall look at the area to
be watered. Notice if the area slopes,
how steeply it slopes and in which direction. Also note areas of shade from
trees or the house, and areas where
tree roots will compete for moisture
with your plantings. This is the time
to divide your garden into zones to be
watered separately (see Landscape,
page 2). Then decide whether each
area is best watered with drippers or
microsprays.
Draw a plan of your yard
or garden indicating areas
of ground cover, flower and
vegetable beds, lawns, and
patios.
The next step is to compare the
flow rate from your water source to
the flow that each proposed zone will
need. Most zones in home systems use
less water than the faucet (hose bibb)
is capable of delivering, and they can
run as a single unit. If, however, a zone
needs more than the hose bibb is able
to deliver at one time, it can be divided
into as many smaller zones as necessary.
To determine the hose bibb’s flow
rate, run the water at full force into a
measured bucket and time how long it
takes to fill. If, for example, a 5-gallon
bucket takes 30 seconds to fill, then the
flow is 10 gallons per minute (gpm), or
600 gallons per hour (gph). Figure that
maximum usable flow is 75 percent of
the flow rate into the bucket—in this
example 7.5 gpm or 450 gph. This is the
largest zone that the source can supply
at one time.
Finally, mark on your drawing the
tubing and emitters for each zone and
make up a list of materials, including
fittings, that you need for the project.
Emitter Placement
The most important factors are the
size of the root zone and type of soil.
Make sure that you are watering more
than 50% of the root zone. Refer to the
chart below for guidelines. Shallow
roots require closer emitter spacing than
deep roots because the system run time
will be shorter, giving less lateral spread
from each emitter.
Water moves downwards in soil
due to gravity and from particle to particle in all directions due to capillary
action. In coarse sandy soil, gravity
affects water movement more than
capillary action. In finer soils such as
clay, capillary action is much stronger,
so water will tend to spread before
penetrating very deep. An emitter in
sandy soil may suffice for an area 16"
in diameter, while the same emitter in
clay soil may wet an area 24" or more
in diameter.
...irrigating new plantings,
you need at least one dripper
directly on each root ball.
A field test is useful. Slowly drip
water from a garden hose on the soil to
be irrigated. After half an hour, check
to see how deep and wide the water
has spread. Be sure to dig down into
the soil away from the obvious wet
area on the surface to see the extent of
coverage.
Drip emitters are typically available in flow rates of 1/2, 1, or 2 gallons
per hour. Factors that influence the
choice of flow rate include: (1) different rates are used to give different
amounts of water to plants on the
same system; (2) sandy soil takes a
fast drip rate, while a 2 gph dripper in
clay soil produces a puddle of water
and may result in dirty water getting
back into the drip tubing; (3) choosing slower drippers allows you to use
more in a single zone, and allows longer runs of tubing.
SELECTION, NUMBER & SPACING OF EMITTERS
Flow Rate
(gph)
Number of
Emitters
Placement of
Emitters
Low shrubs (2-3')
1.0
1-2
at plant
Shrubs and trees (3-5')
1.0
2
6-12" either side
Shrubs and trees (5-10')
2.0
2-3
2' from trunk
Shrubs and trees (10-20')
2.0
3-4
3' apart
Trees (over 20')
2.0
6 or more
4' apart
Flower beds
1.0
1
at plant
Ground cover
1.0
1
at plant
0.5-1.0
1
every 12"
Vegetables, closely spaced
6
Call toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
DESIGN
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
When irrigating new plantings,
you need at least one dripper directly
on each root ball. Water doesn’t
move well from surrounding soil
into the growing medium in which
container-grown plants are raised,
and they are particularly vulnerable
to drying out because of their small
root zone. On a slope, put drippers
on the uphill side of the plants that
you are watering.
Sizing your components
After you have determined the
number, output, and placement of
emitters, mark them on your sketch.
Draw in the lines to connect the
emitters, noting the length of tubing
and connectors needed.
Add up the flow of each dripper to arrive at the total flow of the
zone. Once you have determined
the total flow, select the appropriate
filter, pressure regulator, and tubing.
For systems using 180 gph or less,
a head assembly such as the hose
bibb head assembly illustrated on
page 8 is sufficient. Even on a small
system a Y-filter may be preferable
because it is so much easier to clean.
Add up the flow of each
dripper to arrive at the total
flow of the zone.
Tubing should be sized to keep
pressure loss within acceptable limits
so that each emitter is able to put out
its expected flow. Pressure ranges for
each emitter type are given on page
11 in the parts catalog. You’ll notice
that pressure compensating emitters
provide a constant flow rate over a
wide range of pressures.
Pressure is always lost to friction
as water flows through tubing. Friction is greater at high flow rates and
in smaller tubing. 1/2-inch tubing can
be used for flows up to 320 gph. 3/8"
tubing, sometimes preferable for its
low profile and extra flexibility, will
carry up to 100 gph. Check the catalog pages for recommended flows of
other tubing sizes and maximum line
length for different emitter lines.
Elevation change is another factor that leads to pressure variations. If
the tubing runs downhill, pressure increases by .433 psi per vertical foot. An
equal amount of pressure is lost when
the system runs uphill. If the difference
between high and low points of the
system is no more than 25 vertical feet
and pressure-compensating emitters are
used, then the pressure variation is acceptable.
On a hilly site with greater elevation changes, the main problem is that
the pressure starts to strain the tubing
and fittings. Our solution is to start with
a 20 psi pressure regulator at the top of
the slope, and install an extra
20 psi pressure regulator every 25 feet
down. We run tubing with emitters
across the slope with a single supply
line down the slope.
If you do not use pressure-compensating emitters, more attention
must be paid to keeping line-pressure
values within acceptable limits. The
maximum flow rates mentioned above
for 3/8" and 1/2" tubing should be reduced by a third, to 66 gph and 210
gph respectively, and the maximum
elevation change should be
10 feet.
This is as much engineering as
most home drip systems require.
Higher flow rates can be handled by
larger poly tubing or buried PVC pipe
with risers for different areas. Once
the tubing is laid out, extra drippers
to water new plantings can be easily
added. If expansion takes you over
your usable flow rate, dividing the system into two or more parts is a simple
solution. But no matter how large or
small your system, a scale drawing is
crucial in determining your needs.
Here are some factors to consider when deciding
between drippers or sprays for a particular area
EMITTERS
MICRO SPRAYS
• can be completely hidden by
mulch, protected from view
and from damage
• cannot be completely hidden;
vulnerable to disturbance by
children and pets
• need a large number to water
an area of ground cover or an
annual flower bed
• can be placed 5-8 feet apart so
less tubing is needed; easier to
cultivate around the system
• give precise placement of water
• not as precise as drippers–not
good for planters on decks, for
instance. Can increase weed
growth
• minimum water loss by
evaporation
• in most landscapes, the
coverage provided by a
drip system will improve as
the plants mature. As roots
grow deeper, the duration of
watering lengthens, and each
dripper will irrigate a wider area
• maintenance of a drip system
requires careful, if infrequent,
inspection
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
• lose 20–30% of their water to
evaporation
• coverage from sprays can
deteriorate as the plants grow,
blocking the spray patterns
• sprays can also be blocked by
weed growth
• if problems develop with a spray
system they are more easily seen
7
ASSEMBLY
The head assembly is the connection between the source of water and
the drip irrigation system. At the least, it
includes a backflow preventer, filter, and
pressure regulator.
Hose bibb head assembly
1. An timer connects to the hose bibb.
Without a timer you must remember to
turn it on and off manually.
2. A vacuum breaker, the simplest backflow preventer, connects after the timer.
These should not be under constant pressure.
3. An in-line screen filter attaches to the
vacuum breaker to keep rust and other
water impurities from clogging the emitters.
4. A preset pressure regulator installs
after the filter to reduce pressure in the
lines to 25-30 psi.
5. A compression fitting connects the
assembly to your tubing.
These items cost about $100 and
can be installed in two minutes.
The most common addition to the
basic head assembly is a fertilizer injector, which allows you to feed your plants
while you water. Drip systems pose special problems with the usual methods of
fertilizing, which rely on overhead water
to dissolve and spread the nutrients. An
injector allows you to apply fertilizer
with the same accuracy as your watering
system. All injectors should be installed
downstream from a backflow preventer
(no one wants to drink fertilizer!).
Pipe-thread head assembly
Most pipe-threaded systems start
with an electric anti-siphon valve wired
to a timer. The Y-filter screws directly
into the valve, then the pressure regulator, and then the pipe-thread to tubing
adapter connects to your lines.
All pipe-threaded joints require at
least 3 wraps of teflon tape before you
screw them together. An alternative
set-up is to install a filter and an adjustable pressure regulator on the supply
line leading to more than one automatic
valve, with each valve controlling a
8
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
separate circuit. Be sure that the casing
of the filter is strong enough to take full,
constant water pressure (we recommend
the Amiad filter, page 17), and use a
brass adjustable pressure regulator.
A standard vacuum breaker will be
useless if installed on the supply line to
one or more valves, because the plastic
float inside it becomes stuck to its seat
when the device is left under constant
pressure. Rather, a vacuum breaker
All hose-thread assembly
Hose thread is the coarse thread used
on the outlet side of hose bibbs and
on the fittings of garden hoses. Hosethreaded components are typically
lighter weight and will not carry as
much water flow as pipe-threaded
parts. The vacuum breaker goes after
the timer.
item number, page
SH63C, p.16
must be placed after each valve. We can
supply backflow preventers to go on a
constant pressure line, if necessary.
Lines and Fittings
Polyethylene tubing is run from the
source of water to the plant, where the
emitter is attached. Emitter line (poly
tubing with pre-installed emitters) is
used where a continuous band of water
is needed.
Deluxe hose bib assembly
For easier servicing & higher flow rates,
switch to pipe thread with an FHT X FPT
adapter after the vacuum breaker, then
you can use the better pipe thread Y
filter & pressure regulator, just like the
pipe thread system.
item number, page
DI900, p.18
SH84B, p.16
DI900, p.18
CHHVB, p.17
CH12, p.16
AM39, p.17
CHHVB, p.17
1HTF, p.18
SEPR30L, p.18
HEPR25, p.16
1C7MP, p.16
1C7FH, p.16
Pipe-thread assembly parts are replaceable & last longer. Better suited to
1) turn off house water
2) remove hose bibb
3) screw in 4" brass nipple
4) screw on threaded tee
5) screw short nipple into tee side
6) add gate valve to nipple
7) move hose bibb to tee front
8) turn house water back on
9) build valve manifold
high water pressure & provides higher flow rates.
Requires irrigation timer (see pages 19 & 22).
SU80075, p.17
LL75ASVUB, p.17
AM39, p.17
SEPR30L, p.18
1C7MP, p.16
Call toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
ASSEMBLY
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
Poly tubing has many advantages.
It is resistant to ultra-violet damage
from the sun, giving it a life of 15-25
years. It is light, flexible, and easy to
move. Its fittings require no glue or
clamps. It has “memory”—when emitters are inserted, it seals around their
barbs. With both compression and
barbed fittings, the tubing is pushed into
place, and its elasticity and memory
hold it secure. A barbed fitting fits inside the tubing; a compression fitting
fits over it.
Fittings are available to make sharp
turns (elbows), branch lines (tees), and
to make the transition between different sizes of tubing. At the end of each
line is an end cap with provision for
flushing the line. Couplings allow you
to extend lines or replace damaged sections.
As lines are laid out, the tubing
may have to be secured until it takes
shape. This can be done with stakes designed for this purpose. Leaving a little
slack in the lines will allow for expansion and contraction from temperature
changes, and will help prevent emitters
from moving out of position.
Emitters
Once the lines are in place and
flushed, the emitters can be installed.
�������
��������
�����������
Simply make a hole in the tubing with a
hole punch, then pop the barbed end of
the emitter into the hole. If you punch a
hole in the wrong place, it can be fixed
with a goof plug.
There are four ways to install emitters. The most common method is to
place the emitter directly on the line.
This way you only have to punch the
hole and pop in the emitter.
Another way is to install a connector
into the line, run 1/4" tubing to the place
where the water is desired, and push the
emitter into the end of the tubing. A third
way is to place the emitter on the tubing
and use 1/8" or 1/4" tubing to transport the
water to the base of each plant. Finally,
you can cut 1/4" tubing and insert an inline emitter that drips and also allows
water to pass through to the next emitter.
To install a spray, first punch a hole
in the main line and insert a 1/4" connector. A short length of 1/4" tubing then
leads from the connector to a stake. The
spray screws directly into the stake and
can be raised with an extender if it is
blocked by plants.
Some misters are supplied already
attached to a spike which pushes into
the soil, and a barb to which you attach
1
/4" tubing to supply water. Others are
designed to be attached directly to tubing above the plants—in a greenhouse or
above a hanging basket, for example.
�������
��������
���������������
�����
�������
2. Be aware of the type of thread
in your fittings. Forcing a hosethread fitting onto a pipe-thread
fitting can strip threads and cause
leaks.
3. When pipe-thread connections
are made, wrap threads with at
least three layers of Teflon tape
before connecting.
4. Check the correct direction of
flow on valves and head assembly
parts. All pipe-thread components
have an arrow on them that
points in the direction of water
flow. Hose-thread parts are even
more foolproof: all inlets are
female and all outlets are male,
which makes correct installation
natural when the parts are
screwed onto a hose bibb.
5. Do not tighten plastic hose
thread fittings with a wrench.
If you need to use a wrench on
plastic pipe-thread fittings, be
very gentle.
6. If you want to use your hose bibb
to connect a garden hose & a
drip system, use a hose Y shut-off.
This turns one hose bibb into two,
each with its own shut-off.
7. Be careful to keep dirt out of the
tubing during assembly. After
laying out the lines, open the
ends and let water run through to
flush them.
8. Letting the tubing sit in the sun
will make it easier to manipulate.
Dipping the end of the tubing
into hot water makes it easier to
connect the fittings.
10. When installing pipe under a
sidewalk, let water dig for you.
Attach a garden hose to a stiff
piece of pipe and work the pipe
under the structure.
�������
�����
����
1. Start the installation at the
water source, working out to the
laterals.
9. Do not force the tubing too far
into compression fittings, as this
may interfere with water flow (1"
into the fitting is enough).
����������
�������
����������
�����
�����������
Assembly Tips
����
���
�����������
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
11. When you punch a hole for an
emitter or connector, hold the
punch at a right angle to the
tubing. This makes a round hole
which will seal tightly around the
barb of the emitter.
9
SYSTEM USE
Scheduling
The object of each watering is
to bring the moisture in the root zone
up to a satisfactory level. Once the
desired moisture content is reached,
no more water should be applied. Too
much water cuts off necessary oxygen
and washes nutrients out of the reach
of the roots. Before the soil has dried
out too much the system should be
run again. In this way the plants can
be maintained in near optimal conditions.
The new self-adjusting
evapotranspiration controllers take the guesswork out of
scheduling. See page 22.
Many factors affect how much
water should be applied in any one
period of time. Among these are: soil
type, root depth, air temperature, humidity, and the plant’s maturity. With
drip irrigation it is possible to take
all of these factors into account to
provide ideal growing conditions for
your plants.
The chart below lists times and
intervals for watering different plants.
Keep in mind that both are greatly
affected by the factors mentioned
above. The most important of those
factors are depth of the root zone and
soil composition. The deeper the
roots and the finer the soil, the longer
the watering time must be, but you
can reduce the frequency of watering.
A fine soil such as clay cannot absorb
water very quickly, but will hold the
moisture for a longer period of time.
Shallow root zones and sandy soil
types will require frequent waterings
of a shorter duration. Observe plant
and soil moisture conditions, consult
local experts (agricultural extension
agents, nursery personnel), and adjust
watering times and intervals to maximize growth and minimize water use.
In a system with mixed plantings,
such as in most landscaping designs,
some compromises may have to be
made between plants that require
10
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
occasional deep watering and those that
prefer frequent shallow watering. This
can be partly accomplished by using
emitters of higher output on the deep
rooted plants. If this is not practical
because of other factors, a compromise
can be reached by doing shallow waterings on a frequent basis as well as occasional deep waterings.
We suggest that you plan a complete inspection of your system at the
beginning of each season. This may be
all that you need to do unless there is
much foot traffic or animal damage.
The other time to check your system carefully is after any new planting
or garden maintenance that may have
damaged the tubing. Turn on your system when it is quiet and listen for leaks.
The new self adjusting evapotranspiration controllers take the guesswork
out of scheduling. These new controllers apply exactly the right amount of
water for each zone throughout the year,
automatically, while reducing landscape
water use by 20-50%. See page 22 for
more information.
If you are having trouble with your
system, conduct the standard maintenance procedures first. If the problem
is a single emitter, replace it. If it is
more widespread, look for a break in
the lines. If the problem cannot be
determined by observation, it may be
a result of inadequate water supply or
faulty system design. Feel free to call
the Urban Farmer Store for assistance.
Maintenance
Occasional maintenance
should be carried out on all drip irrigation systems. Inspect the flow from each
emitter, flush lines by unscrewing the
end caps and turning the water on, and
clean the filter. The development of drip
irrigation products–now in their third
decade–has led to successful and trouble-free systems for both the farmer and
the homeowner. The design of a system
using filtration and quality emitters will
make maintenance a simple yearly task.
Visual inspection of the system is the
best way to observe performance, and
can be done in minutes while gardening.
Goof plugs can be used to plug
holes from which emitters have been
removed. They are very simple to use,
and are indispensable when doing repair work or changing your pattern of
plantings. Likewise, couplings come
in very handy when any repair needs
to be done on a damaged section of
line. Simply cut out the damaged section and install a new piece using the
couplings to connect the two pieces
together.
WATERING SCHEDULE GUIDELINES
Type of Plant
Time
(in hours)
Intervals
(in days)
Low shrubs (2 - 3')
2
3
Shrubs and trees (3 - 5')
3
4
Shrubs and trees (5 -10')
4
5
Shrubs and trees (10 - 20')
5
6
Trees (20' or over)
6
7
Flower beds
1
2
Ground covers
1
2
Vegetables - close spacing
.5-1
2
Vegetables - wide spacing
1.5
2
1-10 min.
1
Potted plants
Call toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
© 2006 THE URBAN FARMER STORE®
Drip Emitters
➞
Emitters are the most important
part of any drip irrigation system. They
should deliver water at a predictable
rate and resist clogging. In a large or
hilly system, the emitter should compensate for variations in line pressure.
Emitter types are: Simple orifice—
flow is limited by a very small hole.
Laminar flow—water travels through
a long spiral or tube, permitting a
larger opening than the simple orifice
emitter. Turbulent flow—turbulence
reduces water pressure, allowing the
flow path of a laminar flow emitter to
➞
Turbulent flow design allows use of a larger water
passage, which minimizes clogging. Widely used agricultural emitter with good uniformity of manufacture. 1/4"
inlet. By NETAFIM.
Isoflow diaphragm emitter, full pressure compensation
from 10 to 50 psi. Can be cleaned out with a paperclip
without removing it from the system. 1/4" inlet. By AGRIFIM.
PC Plus™ labyrinth/diaphragm disc design. A selfpiercing barb allows the emitter to be pushed directly in
the supply line. 1/4" tubing can be attached to both inlet
and outlet. By AGRIFIM.
PCjr next generation pressure compensating self flushing
emitters provide uniform flow between 7 and 50 psi with
1.5 psi check valve that holds back up to a 3.5 foot column
of water. 1/4" tubing can be attached to both inlet (always
colored) or outlet (always black) By Netafim.
Mini-Inline turbulent flow design with two 1/4" barbs.
Main flow of water passes through the emitter and continues down the line, while the drip comes from an orifice on
the side of the emitter. Used to make a chain of emitters,
6" to 12" apart, for use in planters. End the line with a
Turbulent flow, PC Plus™ or Isoflow emitter. By AGRIFIM.
Shrubbler emitters are fully adjustable from a gentle
stream pattern for wide coverage to a precise drip action.
Particularly useful to spread the water in loose soil such
as in containers, or where a high flow rate is required (adjustable from 0 to 13 gph). Available in full-circle or halfcircle models, and with either a 1/4" barb or a 5" spike with
barb. By ANTELCO.
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
be widened. This decreases clogging
problems and provides partial pressure compensation. Diaphragm—a
silicone rubber orifice constricts as the
pressure increases. This results in full
pressure compensation, making them
the emitter of choice for large systems
and systems on slopes. Diaphragm
emitters also resist clogging, since debris is expelled through the large, relaxed orifice at the beginning and end
of each irrigation cycle.
gph = gallons per hour
Item
Catalog # Price
/4 gph Yellow
/2 gph Red
1 gph Black
2 gph Green
IDCOR025
IDCOR05
IDCOR1
IDCOR2
.32
.32
.32
.32
1
/2 gph Red
1 gph Black
2 gph Green
AFIF05
AFIF10
AFIF20
.44
.44
.44
1
/2 gph Red
1 gph Black
2 gph Green
Inserter
RDPC05
RDPC10
RDPC20
1PCPIT
1
/2 gph Red
1 gph Gray
2 gph Green
NFPCJR05
NFPCJR10
NFPCJR20
.38
.38
.38
1
/2 gph Red
1 gph Black
1MIN05
1MIN10
.40
.40
360° barb
360° spike
SPSHRUB
.65
SPSHRUBSTK .75
180° barb
180° spike
SPSHRUB180 .65
SPSHSTK180 .75
inline 360° barb
SPSHRUBIN
1
1
.38
.38
.38
1.00
.65
11
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Sprays
Sprays used with drip irrigation
differ from conventional sprinklers in
that they water more slowly and operate at low pressures. This allows them
to be used successfully in systems
with drip emitters.
Misters have the lowest output and
produce the smallest droplets. They are
in the 2–5 gph range and are directed
at one or two plants. Jet sprays have
a small deflection cap that directs a
stream of water into a specific pattern
Weather Tec mister comes with a built-in stake
which allows you to point the spray in the desired direction. Throws a narrow cone of water, usually at an
individual plant. By WEATHER TEC.
@ 20
psi
GPH
O-Jet spray one-piece construction, comes in 90°,
180° and 30°- 30° pattern outputs. By OLSON.
BLACK
BLUE
GREEN
RED
6
10
17
24
30° - 30°
4'
5'
6'
7'
90°
5'
6'
7'
8'
180°
5'
6'
7'
8'
(i.e., 90°, 180°, etc.) to cover an area of
plantings. Vortex sprays throw a full
circle spray up to an 11' diameter. Minisprinklers water a full-circle by spinning small droplets or streams in a 360°
arc to 25' diameter.
Item
Catalog # Price
3 gph
5 gph
WTMS3
WTMS5
Black 90°
Black 30°-30°
Black 180°
Blue 90°
Blue 180°
Blue 30°-30°
Green 90°
Green 180°
Green 30°-30°
Red 90°
Red 180°
Red 30°-30°
OJETBK090
OJETBK030
OJETBK180
OJETBU090
OJETBU180
OJETBU030
OJETGR090
OJETGR180
OJETGR030
OJETRD090
OJETRD180
OJETRD030
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
.40
Stake
MJSS
.60
Varijet 90°
Varijet 180°
Varijet 360°
VJ90
VJ180
VJ360
.95
.95
.95
1.10
1.10
Distances above are radius
Stake holds jet sprays and mini-sprinklers. 13.5"
overall length with 1/4" barb for tubing on input. Spray
tips screw directly into stake. By GLOBAL.
Varijet sprays come in 90°, 180° and 360° models.
Maximum output 40 gph with a 22' diameter. Downward adjustment reduces both area and gallonage.
Hydro-pop sprays connect to regular 1/4" drip tubing with simple compression and pop up at 15 psi
minimum. Available in 6" and 12" and with optional
protector attachment to keep soil out. Use with any
threaded spray nozzle. By AGRIFIM.
Varirotor rotating sprinkler with shut-off uses from
0-30 gph wide open and waters a circle up to 30' in diameter, with good control for smaller areas. Note: low
precipitation rate makes it hard to balance this spray
with the jet sprays. By ANTELCO.
Vortex spray Spectrum 360 jets throw a heavy, fullcircle spray. Adjustable up to 5.5' radius, 0-20gph. One
with a screw base like a jet spray, the other with built-in
spike. By ANTELCO.
Mister 2 gph output, good for hanging plants, bonsai.
Attach to mainline with 1/4" tubing or use with optional
stake. By TORO AG.
12
6" pop-up height AFHPJR
12" pop-up height AFPH
Protector
AFPUPS
5.25
5.50
2.00
Varirotor 360°
VRS360
1.50
360° spray
360° w/ spike
SPSPRAY
.65
SPSPRAYSTK .75
2 gph mister
stake
RJMS2
RJMSST
.65
.38
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Emitter Line
Emitter lines consist of polyethylene tubing with drip emitters installed
by the factory at regular intervals.
Traditionally emitter line has used turbulent flow (or labyrinth) emitters, and
now pressure compensating emitters
are also available. The emitters are
installed as part of the tubing extrusion
process, resulting in a sturdy product
that can take light foot traffic and is
easy to handle. The lines are best installed on or near the soil surface, often covered with a layer of mulch.
A drip system using emitter
lines is much quicker to lay out than
installing individual emitters, and is
the best answer for dense plantings
or plants on regular spacing. If the
plants are spaced irregularly or have
different water needs, it's best to stick
to individual emitters.
Item
/4" Emitter Line is available with 1/2 gph emitters on
6" or 12" spacing. 6" spacing is best used to water plants
in very loose soils, such as window boxes and other containers with annual plantings. 12" spacing can be used
for small vegetable beds and to make loops around the
base of trees and shrubs. Attach the emitter line to larger
tubing with 1/4" connectors (or 1/4" on/off valves to control each row of vegetables). End each line with a goof
plug or diaphragm-type dripper for extra flushing action.
Maximum length is 19' for 6" spacing, 33' for 12" spacing. By DRIP IN & PEPCO.
1
/2" Emitter Line with 1/2 gph turbulent flow emitters
on 12" spacing is our most frequently used emitter line.
The large labyrinth flow path gives an emitter resistant to
clogging problems. 1/2" line is also available with emitters spaced 18" or 24" apart (500' rolls only). Maximum
lateral length is 200' for 12" spacing, 260' for 18" spacing, 320' for 24" spacing. By DRIP IN.
1
Emitter line cut away
showing turbulent flow
labyrinth
Catalog #
Price
/4" Emitter Line
1
6" spacing,
100' roll
PDL0206
34.00
12" spacing,
100' roll
PDL0212
24.00
/2" Emitter Line
1
12" spacing,
100' roll
PDL7100
34.00
12" spacing,
500' roll
PDL7500
150.00
18" spacing,
500' roll
24" spacing,
500' roll
(only available in 500'
rolls, call for pricing)
Sub-surface Emitter Line
Emitter line is also available with a slow-release herbicide mixed into the plastic
of each emitter. This means that the lines can be buried—particularly under
lawns—without the problem of roots growing into the emitters. Typical spacing
for burial under lawns is to use tubing with drippers 12" apart, and space the
laterals from 12" to 18" apart depending on soil type. See Lawns (page 4) for
installation details of air vents and automatic drain valves in valve boxes.
Rootguard Emitter Line is 1/2" tubing with 1 gph turbulent flow emitters
installed 12" apart. Manufactured by Toro the DL2000 has the herbicide Treflan™ fused into the emitter path to prevent root intrusion. This protection should
last from 18 to 25 years depending on soil temperature. Maximum lateral length
is 110'. By TORO.
12" spacing,
100' roll
RGP21201
71.68
12" spacing,
300' roll
RGP21203
188.84
Auto flush valve,
1
/2" MPT
NFFV
Air vent,
1
/2" MPT
NFAVRV
6" round valve box
BR70
13.82
9.42
5.60
Other brands, flow rates & spacings are available.
Call to discuss options for your particular needs.
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
13
PARTS CATALOG
Tubing
Polyethylene tubing is the
standard supply line for drip irrigation
systems. It is flexible, resists UV
radiation, and has “memory” which
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
makes it easy to connect—no glue
or clamps needed. Choose tubing
large enough to carry water for all the
emitters and sprays that may be attached
to it. Figure that 3/8" tubing will carry
up to 100 gph. 1/2" tubing will carry
320 gph. Larger sizes are available for
higher flow rates.
OD = outside diameter
ID = inside diameter
Item
/2" PE is used for mainline in most systems. Actual
dimensions are .700" OD, .600" ID. Maximum flow rate
approx 320 gph, depending on length.
Catalog #
Price
/2 X 100
/2 X 500
PE050100
PE050500
16.90
60.50
/8 X 100
/8 X 500
PE040100
PE040500
10.50
42.50
/4 X 100
/4 X 500
PE025100
PE025500
5.50
25.00
/4 X 100
PF025100
9.75
/8 X 100
PE012100
4.25
1
1
3
/8" PE is more flexible and easier to hide than 1/2", so is
used for lateral lines & deck systems. Actual dimensions
are .455" OD, .375" ID. Flow rate to 100 gph.
3
/4" PE has actual dimensions of .250" OD, .170" ID. Flow
rate to 15 gph, or more on a short run to a single spray.
1
1
/4" PVC is extra flexible for easier use around containers.
Dimensions are .275" OD, .160" ID. Flow rate to 12 gph.
1
/8" PE has actual dimensions of .185" OD, .125" ID.
Use on the outlet side of micro-flapper emitters.
1
1
3
1
1
1
Compression adapters
Compression adapters can be used to make custom fittings. They glue into standard PVC fittings to make compression fittings for PE tubing. If you need to connect to other brands of tubing,
send us a small sample or bring it with you to one of our stores.
BLACK Socket Adapter
Glues into 3/4" PVC fitting or onto 1/2" pipe
Fits .700" OD PE...................................................... .700 OD
.75
BLUE (or Black) Compression Adapter
Glues into 1/2" PVC fitting. Fits .700" OD PE............ .700 OD (1/2") 1CA7
.25
GREEN Compression Adapter
Glues into 1/2" PVC fitting. Fits .620" OD PE............
.620 OD
1CA6
.25
BROWN Compression Adapter
Glues into 1/2" PVC fitting. Fits Netafim Techline......
.660 OD
1CA66
.25
RED Compression Adapter
Glues into 1/2" PVC fitting. Fits 3/8" PE....................
Multidiameter Fittings
Multidiameter fittings, new from Rain Bird, work
well with all of the PE tubing diameters commonly called
"half inch" indicated by black, blue, green & brown
compression rings (see above). If you want to stock only
one size in your kit that's sure to fit everything you might
encounter (except 3/8"), these are the ones!
14
AFSA700
.400 OD (3/8") 1CA4
Elbow
Coupling
Tee
1
/2" FPT insert
1
/2" MPT insert
3
/4" FPT insert
3
/4" MPT insert
Flush cap
.25
RBMDCFEL
1.22
RBMDCFCOUP 1.03
RBMDCFTEE
1.52
RBMD50FPT
.62
RBMD50MPT
.62
RBMD75FPT
.62
RBMD75MPT
.62
RBMDCAP
.62
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
PARTS CATALOG
Fittings
T Fittings for 1/2" and 3/8" tubing work on a principle
that makes it easy to get the tubing into them, but much
harder to pull it out. These compression fittings cause
minimal pressure loss. Size of branch is stated last. Simple barbed tees are used for 1/4" tubing. No glue is used
to hold poly tubing into fittings.
L Fittings for 1/2" and 3/8" tubing are compression type
as above. Barbed elbows are used for 1/4" tubing. Drip
tubing is flexible, so turns can be made without kinking.
But elbows are useful around decks, patios, and in restricted spaces, where sharp 90˚ turns are needed.
Couplings for 1/2" or 3/8" tubing are used to add to a
system, repair damaged sections or to connect one size to
another. 1/4" connectors are used to connect 1/4" tubing to
1
/2" or 3/8" (punch a hole in the larger tubing with a hole
punch) or to connect 1/4" to itself.
End caps for 1/2" and 3/8" tubing with screwcap (hose
thread) allow the system to be flushed out periodically.
Automatically flushing end caps for above-ground use
are also available that flush some water at the beginning
and end of every watering period. This helps to purge the
system of any silt that might build up in the tubing.
Thread-to-tubing adapter makes the final connection between the head assembly and the PE drip tubing.
Hose-thread adapters swivel like the female end of a garden hose. Pipe-thread adapters need Teflon tape to make
the connection watertight.
Swivel fittings are used to connect 1/2" tubing to 1/2"
MPT risers from underground PVC. They can be used
when retrofitting drip to an existing sprinkler system, or
if you use PVC to distribute the water to several beds and
then need to switch to 1/2" poly.
Goof plugs stop the leak if you wish to remove a dripper, spray, or 1/4" connector. One size fits most.
MHT
FHT
MPT
FPT
Item
Catalog # Price
/4" barb
/8"
1
/2"
1
/2 x 1/2 x 3/8
3
/8 x 3/8 x 1/2
1T2
1T4
1T7
1T774
1T447
.25
.90
.90
.90
.90
3
/4" barb
/8"
1
/2"
1L2
1L4
1L7
.25
.90
.90
/4" barb
/8"
1
/2"
1
/2 x 3/8"
1C2
1C4
1C7
1C74
.15
.55
.55
.55
/8 "
/8 " flush
1
/2 "
1
/2 " flush
1E4
1E4FE
1E7
1E7FE
.70
1.50
.70
1.75
/8" x 3/4"MPT
/2" x 3/4"MPT
3
/8" x FHT
1
/2" x FHT
1C4MP
1C7MP
1C4FH
1C7FH
1
3
1
1
3
3
3
3
1
/2" poly x 1/2"FPT
swivel tee
1TS7
swivel elbow
1LS7
.95
.95
.98
.98
1
Pkg of 10
1GP
1.80
1.80
.50
Male Hose Thread (always 3/4")
Female Hose Thread (always 3/4")
Male Pipe Thread
Female Pipe Thread
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
15
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Fittings
On/Off valves are used to control sections of a system.
3
/8" and 1/2" shut-offs are useful for individual control
of vegetable beds, or areas of landscape with low water
needs. The 1/4" on/off valve is excellent for turning off
sprayers, supply lines to containers, or individual rows of
1
/4" emitter line in a small vegetable bed.
Hose Y shut-off allows a drip system and a garden
hose (or 2 drip systems) to run from one faucet. Gooseneck swivel lets hose bib accessories hang straight from
the Y. Brass bodies, on/off valve for each outlet.
Hose-thread to pipe-thread adapters are available to allow connections between incompatible components. Most FHT fittings swivel and all include a hose
washer. Pipe thread fittings should be wrapped with Teflon tape to be watertight. Hose thread is always 3/4".
Teflon tape wraps around male pipe-thread to ensure a
watertight seal. Do not use pipe dope or compound near
automatic valves or on plastic threaded parts. 520" x 1/2"
roll.
Item
Catalog #
Price
/4" barbed shut-off
1SO2
3
/8" shut-off
1SO4
1
/2" shut-off
1SO7
Hose thread shut-off
1SOH
1.95
Brass Y shut-off
SH63C
Gooseneck swivel SH84B
8.50
6.39
/4"MPT x MHT
/2"MPT x MHT
FHT x FHT
MHT x 3/4"MPT
or 1/2"FPT
FHT x 3/4"MPT
or 1/2"FPT
FHT x 3/4"FPT
FHT x 1/2"FPT
1TRANS
RBDP11
CH07
CH08
.75
.89
2.52
1.99
CH09
2.09
CH12
CH13
2.73
2.60
5TT05
1.38
1
3
1
/2" X 520"
1
.99
1.95
1.95
Punches
Blue & Green Punch makes holes in the walls of
1
/2" and 3/8" tubing for emitters and connectors. Its long
handle enables powerful leverage when used with a combination of pressure and rotation. The other end has a hex
fitting in the end to help install Ojets.
Ergonomic squeeze punch uses the power of its
lever handle to reduce hand fatigue. Remove tubing cradle
insert for larger tubing diameters. Replaceable springloaded punch bit retracts after every punch. It streamlines
workflow, reduces stress, and makes clean holes.
orange
yellow
Orange & Yellow Punch Keys have hex fitting
in handles. Use in 1/2" and 3/8" tubing to make holes for
1/8" and 1/4" fittings & emitters – the yellow is sharper!
Blue punch 1/8"
1PBU
Green punch 1/4" 1PGR
2.50
2.50
Ergonomic squeeze punch
w/ blue bit
AGPUNCH 13.50
Extra blue bit 1/8" 1PBITB
1.85
Extra green bit 1/4" 1PBITG
1.54
Orange punch
Yellow punch
1POR
1PK
.95
.95
3" stake
Pack of 50
1S2M
1S2M50
.10
4.50
6" stake
Pack of 50
1S7
1S750
.14
5.50
9" stake
Pack of 50
1S7L
1S7L50
.18
8.00
Stakes & Clips
3", 6" & 9" long galvanized wire stakes hold
1
/4", 3/8", 1/2" & 3/4" respective sizes of poly tubing in
place. Estimate one stake for every 5' of tubing or so.
Plastic stakes hold 1/4" & 1/8"tubing in place.
Mounting clips attach PE tubing to wood.
1
/4" & 1/8"stake
1S2
.16
/8" clip
/4" clip
3
/8" clip
1
/2" clip
1MC1
1MC2
1MC4
1MC7
.10
.10
.15
.35
1
1
16
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Water Connection
The following components are
commonly used at the beginning of
a drip system. A backflow preventer is required for all watering
systems that are connected to the
household water supply. The most
common and reliable type is an
anti-siphon device that eliminates
the possibility of back siphonage of
irrigation water. The anti-siphon is
usually part of the irrigation valve,
or it can screw onto a regular garden hose bibb.
A filter protects the small openings of
drippers, sprays, and emitter lines from
clogging. It contains a fine mesh screen
that can be rinsed and reused.
Y-filters are the easiest type to clean and
allow higher flow rates.
A pressure regulator reduces the
high water pressure in home plumbing
from the normal 45-100 lbs per sq. in.
(psi) to 30 psi or less, depending on
the model used. This lower pressure
greatly increases the life of your tubing
and fittings and will reduce leaks and
blowouts. Use 25 or 30 psi for most
systems, or 20 psi if you are starting
at the top of a slope because the water
gains pressure as it travels downhill.
A fertilizer injector can be inserted
before the filter (see page 18). It allows you to use any soluble fertilizer
with precise control over the concentration and amount. Make sure that
the fertilizer is truly water soluble and
that the backflow preventer is working.
������
������
��������
���������
����������
��������
������
��������
���������
�����������
Backflow Preventer
Item
Hose-thread vacuum breaker FHT x MHT
screws onto a regular garden faucet to prevent back-siphonage. Must be above high point of irrigation system.
Plastic or brass models.
Catalog #
Price
Plastic vacuum
breaker
HEVB
3.75
Brass vacuum
breaker
CHHVB
4.90
Filter
1HTF
5.00
3
/4" Filter
1" Filter
AM39
AM391E
13.25
15.95
/4" Filter
1" Filter
AM3900
AM3901
25.50
69.00
Filters
Hose-thread filter FHT x MHT. Good for small
systems with clean water supply. 150 mesh washable
screen. Maximum flow 180 gph.
Y-filter MPT x MPT. Large filtration area, spin-clean
flow pattern. Easy to clean filter screen. Install after
valve, maximum flow 3/4"-6 gpm, 1"-8 gpm. Both come
with 155 mesh screen and are MPT x MPT.
Y-filter with flush valve. MPT x MPT. Has an extraheavy casing and can be installed on the supply line to
several valves. 3/4" max flow-13 gpm. 1" max flow-20
gpm. Both come with 155 mesh screen and are MPT x
MPT.
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
3
17
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Pressure Regulators
Hendrickson pre-set 25 lb pressure regulator, used in
small systems from a hose bibb. FHT x MHT.
Senninger pre-set 20 and 30 lb pressure regulators,
used in most systems. 3/4" FPT inlet and outlet, will
handle flows from 1/10th to 8 gpm. 1" FPT inlet and
outlet, set at 30 psi for flows up to 20 gpm.
Wilkins BR4 series adjustable pressure regulator. Pressure range is 15-150 psi, maximum inlet pressure 400
psi. Bronze body with union and composite bell housing.
May be installed in any position. 3/4" and 1" models.
Fertilizer Injectors
EZ-Flo Automatic Fertilizer Injectors feed through a garden hose, drip
system, or after the irrigation zone, every time you water. It can be connected after
any valve on an existing sprinkler or drip irrigation system as long as the unit is
only under pressure while it is operating. Gardeners have long loved this unit for
its ability to feed their flowers, trees and shrubs without constantly refilling the
tank. Hose bib and drip units come in three tank sizes:
Item
Catalog #
Price
25 psi
HEPR25
$5.75
/4" FPT/20psi
/4" FPT/30psi
1" FPT/30psi
SEPR20L
SEPR30L
SEPR30M
3
3
8.45
8.45
9.95
Pipe thread regulator with union
3/4" FPT
WIBR407
49.35
1" FPT
WIBR410
66.89
3/4 gallon (2.8 liters) EZ2005HB
1.3 gallon (5 liters) EZ2013HB
3 gallon (11.4 liters) EZ2030HB
49.95
63.90
74.95
3 recommended water-soluble seasonal
fertilizers in 5 pound plastic bags:
Spring 25-15-10
Summer 28-8-18
Fall 10-20-30
EZ251510
17.50
EZ288185
17.50
EZ1020305 17.50
Optional PVC pipe connection accessories:
Thread tap kit
EZTHD
¾" Coupling Socket EZC075
1" Coupling Socket EZC100
Hose/Drip Connection
6.25
10.00
10.50
Optional Sprinkler Connection
Hose End Controls
Use a hose end control to automatically operate a moveable lawn sprinkler or drip system up to 4 gallons per minute maximum.
Digital Water Timer Runs with up to 4 start times
per day or as seldom as once a week. Operate it manually without having to reprogram. Watering durations
can be set to last from one minute to 11 hours. The
most common installation is to attach a hose Y shut-off
and gooseneck swivel (page 16) to your faucet and attach the timer to one branch. The EZ model is easy to
program with one dial to select preset frequency and
another dial to select preset duration. Both operate reliably with low flow and low water pressure and have a
3 year warranty. One 9-volt battery, required (not included) that can last up to one year.
Catalog #
Price
DI9001D Digital
DIEZ
2-dial analog
3B9
9-Volt battery
49.95
44.95
3.20
WaterMaster Mechanical Timer You turn it on, OR62018
it turns itself off, so you can go about your day without another thought. This sturdy valve gives accurate
control at any water flow and can run for up to 2 hours.
No battery required.
18
17.99
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Electric Timers & Valves
1) a timer which is plugged into
regular 110v power and can be programmed with start and stop times, and
days of the week for watering to occur.
The timer sends a low-voltage signal
out to the valves.
A permanent automatic control system consists of three parts:
2) automatic solenoid valves
which attach to the water supply and
open and close to send water to each irrigation zone. These often include anti-siphon type backflow preventers, in which
case they should be installed at least 12"
higher than the highest point they control.
3) valve wire which is similar
to, but slightly larger than, telephone
cable. It can be run through crawl
spaces, stapled above ground to a
house or fence, or buried in soil.
Irrigation Timers
Hunter XC 4 Station Controller is designed for those who don’t want
a big controller, but do want one with all the features that meet their irrigation
requirements. Available in 4 station indoor & outdoor models, the XC offers all
the features you would expect to find only on more expensive units: intuitive dial
programming; seasonal adjustment (from 0% to 150%); easy on-screen adjustment
(in 10% increments); 3 programs with multiple start times; accommodates repeat
watering requirements, morning, afternoon and evening: large LCD display with
interactive icons; choice of independent day scheduling options; rain sensor compatible (but will not support ET System); & non-volatile memory.
4 Station Indoor
HUXC-400-I
4 Station Outdoor HUXC-400
$79.00
109.95
Hunter Pro C series is an incredibly versatile, next-generation irrigation control platform with a full 2-year warranty. Modular design lets you customize unit to desired number of stations with expansion modules. Buy only the number of stations you
need in units of three. Large easy-to-read LCD display for simplified programming. Three programs (A,B,C) with multiple
start times. Independent programming handles many different watering requirements. Choice of independent day scheduling
options: days of the week, odd/even, or 31 day interval for maximum flexibility with global water budget/seasonal adjustment.
Easily change run time of all zones from 10% to 150%. The new evapotranspiration Hunter ET-System (see page 22) runs
the Pro-C platform and can cut landscape water use by up to 50% without stressing lawn or plants. Its non-volatile memory
holds programs indefinitely and its design incorporates microcircuit protection with no fuses to worry about.
Hunter Pro C
3 Station Outdoor Timer
HUPC300
$157.00
3 Station Indoor Timer
HUPC300I
129.00
Both expandable up to 15 Stations
3 Station Expansion Module
HUPCM300
39.00
9 Station Expansion Module from 6-15
HUPCM900
159.00
The Hunter Mini-Clik shuts sprinklers off in a storm and keeps them off,
automatically compensating for the amount of rainfall that occurred. There's no
simpler way to ensure that your system isn't watering when it isn't necessary.
Easily installs on any automatic irrigation system–Versatile enough to work
with all popular controllers
Constructed of high impact thermoplastic and aluminum– Built sturdy for
years of trouble-free operation.
Adjusts to actuate at various rainfall
quantities–Set from 1/8" to 1" based
upon your local conditions
Includes 25 feet of 20 gauge two conductor wire–Fast and easy mounting out
of sight
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
Hunter Mini-Clik Rain Sensor
MC502
27.99
19
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Automatic Valves
Irritrol ASVF 3/4" irrigation valve with antisyphon backflow preventer. This valve is rated
from 10–150psi. It will operate at flow rates as low as 15
gallons per hour to over 10 gallons per minute, making it
ideal for all sizes of residential drip systems. Other features include internal and external bleeds for purging and
ergonomic manual turn-on, and a low-power solenoid that
requires less inrush current (0.40amps) than most and so
will operate with a weaker electrical signal (0.2amps).
Rain Bird DV 3/4" irrigation valve. This is a
straight valve that is usually buried in a valve access box.
It has all the features of the ASVF (above) except that it
has no backflow preventer. Use with an RP. Also available in a heavy-duty 1" size with flow control.
Item
Catalog #
Price
Electric anti-siphon valve 3/4"
RI711APR
Electric valve 3/4"
22.42
RB75DV
22.50
1" valve w. flow control
RB100DVF
25.50
For San Francisco residents
Heavy-duty brass irrigation valve with anti-syphon. (Plastic valves do not meet local Plumbing Code.)
Easier to service than plastic valves and virtually indestructible. Will take high water pressure, earthquakes, and
should last 30-50 years with the replacement of a few rubber parts.
/4" brass anti-siphon body only
LL75ASVUB 22.57
3
/4" brass electric valve actuator
SU80075
46.50
3
Has a union on the outlet side which simplifies assembly
and checking for leaks. Sold as 2 parts: anti-siphon body
+ valve actuator.
Battery powered actuator & controller for
areas where it is difficult or impossible to run electrical
power or controller wire. Use with brass 3/4" anti-siphon
body listed above. Available in single station with actuator
or a 4-station model with actuators sold individually. Requires two 9-volt batteries, not included. Waterproof case
with waterproof connectors.
Single station controller w/actuator
DI510011
109.80
4 Station controller w/connectors
DI540.000W 111.90
Individual actuator w/solenoid
DI336013
39.90
Shown left: single station controller w/actuator, & separate
3
/4" brass anti-syphon body
Wire and Splices
Tip: On long, difficult runs add a backup strand in case
one becomes faulty.
Plan for expansion
by running extra
strands for future
valves.
18 gauge irrigation valve control wire with
heavy coating permits underground use without conduit.
The number of insulated strands in the wire you need
is determined by the number of valves in each location
plus one “common” wire for each location.
Each irrigation valve has two wires: one attaches to its
own strand of the control wire and the other is attached
to the common strand.
Waterproof Wire Nuts Gel-tite water resistant
wire connectors are secure and easy to use. Every splice
should be in its own wire nut to prevent shorts.
20
2 strand
318x2
.13/ft.
3 strand
318x3
.20/ft.
4 strand
318x4
.24/ft.
5 strand
318x5
.31/ft.
6 strand
318x6
.38/ft.
7 strand
318x7
.43/ft.
10 strand
318x10
.52/ft.
2-5 18g wires
3MURGBK
6-12 18g wires
3MURGBKGR .90
.80
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Instant Manifolds
1" Schedule 80 PVC instant
manifolds assemble without tools. O-ring seals eliminate glue, tape, paste, and
dope. No sweat!
Instant manifolds require a special nipple for each valve and an
end-cap. Connect manifolds together for any number of anti-syphon combination or globe valves. Integral unions make it easy
to install and replace 1" or 3/4" valves. They're lightweight, compact, strong, and UV resistant.
Item
Single outlet manifold
Double outlet manifold
Triple outlet manifold
Quad outlet manifold
1" end cap
1" to 1" nipple
1" to 3/4" nipple
Part #
301010
3010102
3010103
3010104
348010
08303
08303131
Price
$5.17
10.11
15.16
20.16
1.12
1.20
1.34
Useful things
Clear & Green Garden Tie for tying
vines, plants, vegetables, and espalier. Strong
& flexible. Will not girdle tender stems or
growing branches. Clear tape disappears.
Green colored tape blends with foliage.
1/2" x 300'-Clear
1" x 150'-Clear
1/2" x 300'-Green
1" x 150'-Green
6GTC
6GTC1
6GT
6STT
$1.79
3.49
1.59
3.29
Hose thread water pressure gauge
helps when planning or troubleshooting
an irrigation system. Clear face accurately
identifies static pressure in psi (shown above).
Water flow and pressure guage also available
for identifying dynamic pressure and flow
Pressure Only ORGAUGE
Flow & Pressure TO99501
$6.25
49.00
Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement is
water bound in the form of a solid gel. It
is an ideal irrigation supplement for use in
establishing native plant material where
permanent irrigation is not required as well
as new plant material in existing landscape
areas. Rain Bird IS increases survival rates of
transplants by providing continuous moisture
needed to reduce the stress of relocation.
RBISGP30 30-day gel pack $1.40
RBISQT
60-day quart
$3.18
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
21
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Self-Adjusting Evapotranspiration Controllers
We selected the three best new controllers that use evapotranspriation technology to cut landscape water use by up to 50% while
enabling lush, thriving plants. This is the biggest breakthrough for landscape water conservation since the introduction of drip irrigation
over 30 years ago. Two are offered as upgrades for our most popular controllers and one is ideal for new landscapes. In order to ensure correct installation and optimum performance pre-purchase training is required. Typically the return on the investment cost for these systems
is realized within two years. Once correctly installed, they operate trouble-free without manual adjustments or wasteful watering.
Evapotranspiration (ET) is the amount of water that is lost from the soil through evaporation and plant
use. As the days get longer and warmer from March to August, ET, or the plant’s need for water, gradually increases. Besides the length of day, temperature, humidity, and rainfall all are factored into watering
schedules.
When the rain usually ends in March, irrigation controllers traditionally are turned on and then
left running on a preset schedule until well into the fall when it begins raining again. This schedule waters too much on some days and not enough on others, either wasting water or causing
plant stress. More efficient irrigation scheduling would readjust the system run times to match the
changing plant water needs daily, and would water less as days get cooler and shorter in the fall.
ET irrigation controllers readjust themselves automatically as often as needed without manual reprogramming–using three sources of information:
This is the biggest
breakthrough for
landscape water
conservation since
the introduction of
drip irrigation over
30 years ago.
1. Built in logic has solar radiation values for every micro climate, permanently stored onboard in
memory, by postal zip code or latitude. The Hunter ET System sensor measures actual soloar radiation on site.
2. Entered data about each zone to be watered like, soil type, plant type, irrigation type (sprinklers or drip), and slope.
3. Real-time data from on-site sensors or wireless ET weather data service enabling fast response to unexpected rain storms and
heat waves.
Hunter
ET System
Irritrol
Smart Dial
How offered:
Runs the expandable Hunter Pro
C, ACC & ICC, controller platforms,
not included
Upgrade panel for Irritrol Rain
Dial controllers or as new indoor
or outdoor rated models
New expandable controller
one plug-in model is rated for
indoor or outdoors locationsideal for new landscapes!
Number of stations:
Same as Pro C or ICC platform
Pro C max=15 ICC max=48
6, 9, or 12
4 expandable to 8, 12, & 16, or
16 expandable to 24
Real time weather data:
Onsite sensor array (included)
tracks: solar radiation, relative
humidity, temperature, and precipitiation.
ET Weather Data Subscription
Service (wireless). One year
included with purchase, cost
$5 per month thereafter.
On-site weather monitor–commercial or residential grades
available. Without a weather
monitor, the controller can
operate in standard mode like
a regular controller.
Pre-purchase training:
Recommended-Free class in stores
Required-Free classes in stores
Required-Free classes in stores
List prices:
ET System
ET System module with sensor array..........$399.
ET Wind Optional Anemometer..................$399.
Pro C (required)
Indoor 3 station expandable to 15..............$126.
Outdoor 3 station expandable to 15...........$157.
Expansion modules
3 station expansion module..........................$39.
9 station expansion module........................$159.
Upgrades from Rain Dial
6 Station Smart Dial Upgrade Panel...........$559.
9 Station Smart Dial Upgrade Panel...........$599.
12 Station Smart Dial Upgrade Panel.........$649.
Indoor rated models
6 Station Smart Dial Indoor.........................$619.
9 Station Smart Dial Indoor.........................$659.
12 Station Smart Dial Indoor.......................$719.
Outdoor rated models
6 Station Smart Dial Outdoor......................$659.
9 Station Smart Dial Outdoor......................$699.
Rated for indoor or outdoor use
Smartline 4 station expandable to 16....$156.95
Smartline 16 station expandable to 24..$336.90
Expansion modules
4 station expansion module......................$46.95
12 station expansion module.................$179.95
Weather monitors
Commercial On-Site Weather Monitor...$299.95
Residential 0n-Site Weather Monitor.....$199.95
Check for
rebate offers
& incentive
programs from
your water
provider on
these items!
22
Weathermatic
Smartline
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Sprinkler to Drip Conversion
Why convert? Simple answer: it's better for most plants and it uses water more efficiently. Drip irrigation converts a high-pressure stream to
a slow emission of droplets that can be placed exactly where water is needed in the plant's root zone. Unlike sprays and sprinklers, there is no
evaporation loss, and the amount of water each plant receives can be tailored to suit its needs. Drip will maximize the amount of water available to the roots of plants grown on slopes because the slow delivery of water won’t run off the surface before having a chance to soak into the
soil.
Sometimes converting to sprinklers to drip is made necessary by site conditons. Extra service can be squeezed from an existing sprinkler system as the galvanized pipes corrode near the end of its useful life. While the corroded pipes can no longer effectively carry enough water to
run the sprinkler system, there is often plenty of pressure and flow for a new drip system. Rust and iron particles in these kinds of retrofitted
systems can pose a problem for the drip emitters, so replace or clean the drip system filters often. As shrubs and perennials mature and grow,
they often block the distribution pattern of sprinklers and prevent water from reaching the intended spots. When conversion is indicated for
any of these reasons there are three viable approaches.
Partial drip conversion
Multi-outlet emitters
Full drip conversion
One or more zones of an existing sprinkler
system can be completely converted to a
conventional drip system. The first step is
to insert a filter and pressure regulator near
the beginning of the system. The best place
is often right after the control valve. Use
schedule 80 (gray) pipe and fittings above
ground after the pressure regulator. The
existing underground pipe continues to distribute the water, and saves a lot of digging.
Alternatively, a filter and pressure regulator
can be attached to a sprinkler riser and the
drip system laid out from this point. The
main drawback to this method is cost. If
you wish to use several risers as connection
points for the drip system, you will need to
purchase a filter and pressure regulator and
hiding them from view can be a challenge.
If you have a small area of shrubs watered by
a few sprinkler heads, multi-outlet emitters
can be screwed directly onto each sprinkler
riser, without the need for a separate filter
or pressure regulator. Water flows from the
multi-outlet emitter from its four or eight
1/4” PE tube connections, through the tubing and then to the plants.
Sprinkler body retrofit
The advantage of this system is ease of installation and no need for a filter or pressure
regulator. They operate at pressures between 10 and 80 psi and should not be use
with emitters at the end of tubing runs.
For partial conversion applications, Rain Bird
makes a convenient sprinkler body replacement, which contains a filter, and pressure
regulator. Just unscrew the old sprinkler
body and screw on the retrofit body and
attach a connector for the drip-tubing.
1/2" MPT swivel outlet
30 psi pressure regulator
200-mesh filter
Insert a schedule 80 nipple or male adapter
and schedule 80 pipe after the pressure regulator. Glue this to the exisiting pipe below
ground using the appropriate fitting.
With full, partial zone, or sprinkler body
retrofit conversions, heads are removed and
replaced with parts, including a PVC fitting,
and special compression or barbed adapters. Flexible, black polyethylene (PE) tubing,
attached in place of the sprinkler heads,
A
allows the use of standard drip irrigation
devices to deliver water to your
various plants. Add emitters,
misters and micro sprays as needed.
Remove and cap sprinkler heads not
needed for drip. Using this method,
one filter and pressure regulator can
serve hundreds of emitters. Drip
lines can be left on the surface, or
covered by a layer of soil or mulch to
become invisible.
Rugged,
UV-resistant 1800 body
Retrofit body
RBXRETRO
$18.85
Octa-Bubbler has eight 1/4" barbed outlets to attach tubing.
Available in 4 different flow rates, with all
outlets giving equal flow. Individual flow
controls can easily be installed to give
different flows from different outlets on
the same Octa-Bubbler. Inlet connection
is 1/2" FPT, same as most conventional
sprinklers, so that it screws onto a regular
sprinkler riser or swing joint.
Octa-Bubbler w/8 flow controls installed,
flow rate per outlet
2gph
PP816
8.50
6gph
PP856
8.50
10gph
PP896
8.50
20gph
PP8186
8.50
Use these convenient fittings to adapt the
1/2" MPT on a Schedule 80 riser or Rain
Bird retrofit body to 1/4" or 1/2" PE tubing in full, partial, or retrofit conversions.
Cap or plug old & unused sprinkler body
risers, swing joints, & fittings.
Extra flow controls
2gph
PP8160
6gph
PP8560
10gph
PP8960
20gph
PP81860
Outlet plug
PP2135
Bug plug
PPBUGPLUG
A. Swivel tee 1TS7
B. Swivel el
1LS7
C. ¼" X 4
OR61004W
D. ¼"+½" MPT 1RAC2
E. ¼" X 2
1T22FP
½" PVC T plug 450005
½" PVC T cap 448005
Quadra-Bubbler has four 1/4" barbed outlets to attach tubing. Available in 4 different flow rates, with all
outlets giving equal flow. Inlet connection is ½"
FPT, same as most conventional sprinklers, so
that it screws onto a regular sprinkler riser.
B
C
1.80
1.80
3.29
1.48
2.93
1.12
.79
D
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
E
Quadra Bubbler
2gph
PPBLU
6gph
PPBLK
10gph
PPRED
20gph
PPGRN
Clamp Plate
PPPLATE
Plug
PPPLUG
.25
.25
.25
.25
.06
.06
3.80
3.80
3.80
3.80
.50
.06
23
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Mag Drive Pumps
Visit urbanfarmerstore.com/product lines for
links to more products & information
We carry a wide range of pumps–for garden ornaments & fountains and large water features & ponds. Most of the pumps
are designed to be submersible; some may be used either in or out of the water. With any water feature the simplest installation is to place the pump in the bottom of the water feature and use the pump to push the water to the top of the installation.
To determine the size pump needed for a project, you need to know two things: the overall height you need to pump and the
volume of flow desired. Take a garden hose and find the volume that seems pleasing to you and then take a 5-gallon bucket
and measure how long it takes to fill it. You then can figure how many gallons per hour at what height you need for the
desired effect. If you are trying to circulate the water for clarity, we suggest that you move half the volume of the pond per
hour. To figure this, multiply the length (in feet) x width x depth x 7.50 to find out how many gallons the pond contains. If
there are fish in the pond you may need to circulate up to twice the volume of the pond per hour.
Supreme Mag-Drive Pumps are designed to fulfill the needs of serious pond and water garden enthusiasts. They require intake pre-filtration and one is provided. The power unit
is encased in waterproof epoxy which creates a magnetic field; this drives a ceramic magnetic impeller. This makes for an extremely energy- efficient unit, operating at a fraction
of the cost for electricity as mechanical drive pumps. Fish safe, these pumps will operate
in fresh or salt water, submerged or in-line. (So long as water is gravity-fed to the pump's
inlet, it can operate out of the water.) Models 65, 80 & 140 have 6-foot grounded power
cords, while the larger models come with a standard 18-foot grounded power cord.
We stock replacement impellers and impeller housings for most models to keep your pump
running for years.
14 reliable models capable of pumping from 65 to 5000 gallons per hour
Model
Number
Watts
Used
Full GPH
Open
2 ft.
4 ft.
6 ft.
8 ft.
10 ft.
12 ft.
Max
Head
Outlet-male
Cord
Length
List
Price
SMPM65
SMPM80
SMPM140
SMPM190
SMPM250
SMPM350
SMPM500
SMPM700
SMPM950
SMPM1200
SMPM1800
SMPM2400
SMPM3600
SMPM5000
5
6
9
19
24
35
45
70
93
110
145
265
360
475
65
75
140
190
250
350
500
700
950
1200
1800
2400
3600
5000
–
25
135
160
210
320
410
550
900
1150
1630
2200
3500
4950
–
–
20
135
125
260
320
475
800
1125
1375
1900
3200
4700
–
–
–
60
35
175
180
400
720
1050
1125
1650
2000
4000
–
–
–
–
–
75
85
300
600
825
950
1500
2600
3600
–
–
–
–
–
–
25
120
400
700
850
1250
2300
3000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
220
525
750
1050
1850
2800
1.66 ft
2 feet
4 feet
7 feet
6 feet
9 feet
10 feet
12 feet
13 feet
14 feet
19 feet
20 feet
24 feet
28 feet
1/4”
1/4"
1/4"
3/8” NPT
1/2" NPT
1/2" NPT
1/2" NPT
1/2" NPT
3/4" NPT
3/4" NPT
3/4" NPT
1" NPT
1" NPT
1½" NPT
6 feet
6 feet
6 feet
10 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
18 feet
$19.50
27.50
34.75
52.75
75.75
85.75
95.75
104.62
145.75
185.75
225.75
250.00
275.50
375.75
The Pro Hy-Drive Waterfall Pump design combines the the benefits of magnetic and direct drive technologies
to deliver an extremely quiet, energy efficient, low maintenance pumping source. These high-capacity hybrid pumps
go easy on the wattage yet are powerful enough to create a dynamic attractive waterfall or power a large skimmer or
filter. They are oil-free fish-safe and designed for continuous use. The heavy-duty polypropylene enclosure has a built
in carry handle and an effective molded-in debris screen. They are equally at home underwater as a submersible pump,
or can be plumbed in-line and used externally once the enclosure is removed. Even when used submerged in shallow
water, the pump can be used horizontally and will not create a visible vortex. These versatile pumps, available in three
capacities, have a one year warranty.
Model
Number
Watts
Used
SMHY3200 180
SMHY4000 220
SMHY4800 280
24
Full GPH
Open
3 ft.
5 ft.
10 ft.
15 ft. 17 ft.
3200
4000
4800
2600
3800
4450
2480
3200
4000
1650
2500
3350
–
10
2000
–
–
10
20 ft.
Max
Head
Outlet-male
Cord
Length
List
Price
–
–
–
15 feet
17 feet
20 feet
1½" NPT
1½" NPT
1½" NPT
20 feet
20 feet
20 feet
$220.00
258.00
298.00
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Introduction to Sprinkling Systems
Sprinkling systems are the most efficient way to water large, evenly covered areas of the landscape, most commonly
lawn. With very few devices an entire area can be watered. They work best in large, regular sided areas, where spray is
not blocked by plant material. The range of sprinkler options is significant, but all owe their lineage to the brass spray
head or the impact rotor. Sprays, which can be on risers or on pop ups ranging from 2" to 12", can throw water in a
pattern up to a 15’ radius. Rotors, historically the loud splashing impact type, are now predominantly gear-driven. Residential and light commercial rotors that throw a radius of between 16’ to 40’ are available. Commercial/professional
rotors that throw a radius of between 40’ to 70’ are available for large turf applications such as sports fields and parks.
The Urban Farmer Store stocks all options from the three leading sprinkler companies: Hunter, Rain Bird, and Toro.
Spray Heads—Spray heads are made up of two parts, the
nozzle which determines the pattern of spray and the body
which varies from the shrub type that stays above-ground on
a riser, and the popup type which is completly hidden until
used, and range from 2" to 12" in popup height. They are now
made of plastic and use a spring for attachment. There are dozens of nozzles and improvements that make them better each
year by Rain Bird, Toro, and Hunter.
Depending on the nozzle chosen and the height of the pop up used The
prices range from about $5. to over $10. each
Rotors—Like spray heads,
rotors have body options from
shrub to 12" pop ups. But
unlike sprays the nozzles are
usually a single stream throwing a long distance at different
volumes and trajectories. The
patterns are made by gear adjustment in the sprinkler body.
A rack of nozzles usually comes
free with each sprinkler.
The range of rotors from shrub to 12"
pop up, and from residential to commercial is wide. Residential rotors usually
cost less than $25. Commerical rotors
can cost upwards of $50.
Distributor
The options that we have in sprinklers
are too vast to include in these pages,
and most manufacturers have territorial
restrictions on distributor sales.
Sprinkler systems require good design and
measurements before sprinklers are chosen.
Start with a scale site plan, note water sources
and measure them in gallon per minute (see
Planning on page 6). Then come into one of
our stores and we will help you with sprinkler
selection, valving and pipe sizing.
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
25
PARTS CATALOG
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Introduction to Landscape Lighting
Low voltage landscape lighting systems, consisting of a transformer, lamps, fixtures, and special cable, offer
many advantages over 120-volt lighting besides the obvious factor of safety. Low-voltage lamps use electricity
more efficiently, giving more light per watt of power used. 12-volt lamps also last longer than 110-volt incandescent lamps, reducing maintenance on the systems. The flexibility of the wiring — no conduit is needed — makes
installation easy and allows you to move fixtures as the garden grows and changes. Modern 12-volt systems can
tackle any residential lighting job, from groups of 50-foot oak trees to the smallest city garden. The Urban Farmer Store carries only the highest quality products from carefully selected manufacturers. Our expert staff will be
glad to help you plan your lighting design and specify the power requirements of the transformer and cable you
will need. Local customers please ask about our free overnight loaner lighting kits containing a variety of fixtures
so that you can experiment in your own garden with the different effects. Request a copy of our Outdoor Lighting
Basics or view it online at urbanfarmerstore.com.
Fixtures come in a wide array of
types, sizes, and finishes. Each
fixture takes a specific lamp type
(incandescent, Xenon, or quartzhalogen). Each lamp (bulb), in
turn, comes in a variety of wattages and beam spreads. Choosing
the appropriate lamp for a specific
effect is the first step in design.
Choosing the fixture to house the
lamp is secondary. Uplights can
turn trees and specimen plants
into focal points of your garden.
Pathlights illuminate walkways
and beautify the landscape, while
enabling safe and comfortable
movement on stairs, paths, and
driveways. Spotlights, both uplights and downlights, can highlight sculptures, water, and architectural features. Backlighting and
wall-washing floodlights produce
beautiful silhouettes, shadows,
and textures, creating mood and
interest in the garden.
Transformers are required for
12-volt lighting systems to stepdown 120-volt power. Selection is
based on the total number of watts
needed for a system, and for each
zone of the system. Transformers
come in wattages ranging from
100 to 1000 watts. As the garden
changes and grows, allow for extra
wattage on the transformer to
grow with it, whether it be to add
additional fixtures or increase the
wattage of existing ones. Multi-tap
transformers make it easy to correct for voltage-drop by sending
more voltage to cable runs far
away from the transformer, and
less voltage to closer cable runs.
Lighting Cable comes in several
sizes or gauges. Twelve, ten, or
eight gauge cable tends to be the
most commonly used, depending on the length of wire run and
the wattage load. Choosing the
correct size of cable is necessary
to avoid excessive voltage-drop,
which leads to the dimming of
lamps at the end of wire runs.
Correctly sizing wire and planning logical wire runs is a simple
but essential step in designing a
lighting system that can grow and
change with your garden.
Landscape Lighting
The DRIPPERS
bay area's harsh marine
climate takes a rapid toll on
lesser quality products so we
offer only the highest quality
available. Some of the more
than 15 manufacturers we
distribute include:
Quartz-Halogen Lamp
FX Luminaire
Lumiere
Hadco NightLife
Kim
Focus
Nightscaping
Arroyo Craftsman
Multi-tap Outdoor Plug-in Transformer
Request a copy of our
Outdoor Lighting Basics or view it online
at urbanfarmerstore.com.
26
Coe Studios
Path Light
12-gauge low-voltage
lighting cable
(shown actual size)
Unique
Vista
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
PARTS CATALOG
2833 VICENTE STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116 • (415) 661-2204
(800) 753-DRIP (3747) • FAX (415) 661-7826 • urbanfarmerstore.com
1 2 3 4
Four convenient ways to order
phone
e-mail
mail
fax
When mailing or faxing, please use our order form whenever possible to avoid confusion. Include the catalog number of each part.
We invite you to phone in your order and charge it to your Visa or Mastercard. Please have your order form completed as much as
possible when you call. Phone hours Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30, Sat 9:30-5 Pacific Time. Order on the web, by e-mail, or by fax 24 hours a
day. When e-mailing orders, please include all information required on this form and send to [email protected].
ORDERED BY:
SHIPPING INFORMATION: (if different from mailing address)
Name __________________________________________________________
Name __________________________________________________________
Company ______________________________________________________
Company ______________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City __________________________State ________ Zip _________________
City __________________________State ________ Zip _________________
Phone # ________________________________________________________
Phone # ________________________________________________________
CATALOG
NUMBER
QUANTITY
ORDERED
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
PER UNIT
TOTAL
ORDER FORM
Method of payment
Check
Money order
Visa
Charge to my credit card
Mastercard
Expires (month/year) 00/00 ___________
card # ___________________________________________
Signature ________________________________________
Shipping & Handling Charges
To all orders please add the following shipping and
handling charges based on the pre-tax subtotal
on the order form. For all orders outside the continental United States and Canada shipping will be
charged at cost.
Up to $25.00 ... $6.50
Up to $50.00 ... $8.00
Up to $75.00 .. $10.00
Up to $100.00 $12.00
Up to $150.00 ..... $15.00
Up to $200.00 ..... $19.50
Up to $400.00 ..... $27.50
Over $400.00.........Free
Availability, price, shipping charges, and sales tax subject to change without notice
SUBTOTAL
BACK PAGE
SUBTOTAL
8.5% TAX
(CA RESIDENTS ONLY)
SHIPPING CHARGES
TOTAL
AMOUNT DUE
27
PARTS
CATALOG
MAIL ORDER
FORM
THE URBAN FARMER STORE
Mail Order Instructions
Guarantee
If, upon inspection you are not
entirely satisfied with the products you
ordered, return them within 30 days and
your money, less shipping and handling
charges, will be promptly refunded.
Defective parts will be repaired or replaced free of charge if returned to us
freight prepaid within one year of purchase. Some products as noted carry
manufacturer’s warranties for longer
than one year. We try to carry only
products known for their success and
dependability in commercial use and
with the expectation that you will be
totally satisfied.
Methods of Payment
In order to avoid confusion, please
use our order blank whenever possible. Be sure to include the catalog
number of each part. Payment can be
made by check, money order, Visa, and
MasterCard. You are invited to phone
in your order and use your charge card.
Please have your order form completed
when you call, $10 minimum.
Delivery Time
We process all orders within two
working days. If any delay is anticipated, we will notify you immediately,
by phone, mail or e-mail. Please allow
7 to 10 working days for transit.
Back Order
If we are ever forced to back order
an essential item on your order you will
be notified immediately by phone, email or mail. Because we know that the
installation of an entire system can be
delayed due to the lack of a single part,
we will await your approval of a back
order before processing the rest of your
order for shipment.
Address & Shipping Information
We do all of our shipping via UPS
except when a package exceeds their
size or weight limits. In that case we
ship by common carrier. UPS cannot
deliver to Post Office Boxes, so please
provide a street address and include a
phone number. All items are insured
through the carrier and any claims for
damage should be placed with them
– save all cartons. If your shipping address is different than your mailing address, please list both.
Questions & Comments
If you have any questions or comments about any products or information contained in this catalog, please
write to us. We will be happy to respond. We would appreciate any suggestions or criticism that you may have
that can help us improve our services.
Our aim is to provide the best products
with the necessary information to use
them, so your feedback is important.
Please let us know if you have a friend who would like our catalog.
Name_____________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________
Phone Orders (800) 753-DRIP
(7:30 am-5:30 pm PST)
FAX Orders
(415) 661-7826
(24 hours)
CATALOG
NUMBER
QUANTITY
ORDERED
City_______________________________________________________________
State_______________________________________Zip______________
Thank you.
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
PER UNIT
TOTAL
BACK PAGE SUBTOTAL
(BRING TO FRONT PAGE)
28
Order toll-free: 1-800-753-DRIP Fax: (415) 661-7826 Visa & Mastercard accepted
DESIGN YOUR SYSTEM HERE
Golden
Gate
Park
Park
Presidio
Po r t
101
ke
Bay
Bridge
o
Alto
SAN RAFAEL
C
am
i
e
lithedal
S
AN
A
N
���
���������
���
���
�����
������
�����
����������
����
�
����
���
��������
ta
mi
Lo
����
���
�
��
���
����
�
����
���
����
Dr
�
���
���
���
���
���
����
���
����
������
��������
B AY
��
��
������
��������
���
����
����
2121 San Joaquin Street
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 524-1604
Exit Central Avenue off I-80 & I-580
Next to American Soil & Stone Products
������
��������
RICHMOND
���
���
O
SAUSALITO
FR
SC
MILL VALLEY
The
Urban
Farmer
Store
MILL VALLEY
653 East Blithedale
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 380-3840
Next to Sloat Garden Center
Miller Ave.
n
2833 Vicente Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 661-2204
At 40th Ave. in the Sunset
Order toll free (800) 753-3747
Fax (415) 661-7862
For driving directions &
hours of operation
visit urbanfarmerstore.com
SAN FRANCISCO
t
ar
M
CI
o la
SAN FRANCISCO
Sloat
Vicente
19th Ave.
Printed environmentally
Please recycle
E.
B
Golden
Gate
Bridge
40th
The
Urban
Farmer
Store
Sunset