Irrigation Make sure you understand all the pieces of the irrigation and how they fit together – You’ll be in charge of setting up your own system in the Greenhouse!

Blue Stripe (½” polyvinyl tubing) Used for the main line Water in the ½” tubing is at full pressure (15-25 psi) Holes must be punched to fit other irrigation pieces –Cuts cannot be repaired –Holes that are too big cause problems

Blue Stripe (½” polyvinyl tubing) Other fun information: Preferable that the main irrigation line be a loop since this helps even out the water pressure. Blue-stripe tends to be more durable than simple black tubing and tends to kink less. The blue part of the plastic is harder than the black part

Microtubing (¼” polyvinyl) Spaghetti tubing Flexible and doesn’t kink Smaller diameter = more resistance water flow (shortest possible length) Do NOT cut at an angle (it may go on easier but will also fall off with full pressure)

Microtubing (¼” polyvinyl)

Button Emitter Round disc has a barb on one end Barb fits into the microtubing Reduces the water pressure to a certain rate –Ours are 1 gallon per hour Full water pressure should reach the button

Button Emitter

Flag Emitter Right angle with a removable flag at one end –Attach correctly (water flow shown) Reduces the water pressure Do NOT branch once the pressure is reduced!

Flag Emitter Other fun facts about flag emitters: Flags may be unscrewed for cleaning Unfortunately, the flag sometimes will often not screw back in tightly once it is removed. Usually used when bluestripe is buried (button emitters on surface may pop off, buried flags will not)

Flag Emitter Other fun facts about flag emitters: Flags may be unscrewed for cleaning Unfortunately, the flag sometimes will often not screw back in tightly once it is removed. Usually used when bluestripe is buried (button emitters on surface may pop off, buried flags will not)

Barbs Double-sided barb fitting Attach ¼” microtubing to ½” tubing Splice together two pieces of mircotubing Must go on ALL THE WAY!

Barbs Other Fun Facts about Barbs: It is easiest to attach the microtubing first, then press the barb through a hole punched in the ½” Blue-stripe. Do NOT ask me for help if you push the barb through the bluestripe first. I will give you “the look” and laugh an evil laugh.

Barbs Other Fun Facts about Barbs: It is easiest to attach the microtubing first, then press the barb through a hole punched in the ½” Blue-stripe. Do NOT ask me for help if you push the barb through the bluestripe first. I will give you “the look” and laugh an evil laugh.

Ts T-shaped piece with a barb on each end Branches microtubing ONLY use with button emitters (full water pressure)

Hole Punch Punch holes in the ½” Blue-stripe One, clean hole should be punched in the black section of the Blue-stripe Be very, very, very, very, very, very careful not to make a sloppy punch!

Hole Punch Sometimes a student will not be pressing hard enough to fully puncture the tubing and will end up with a cut rather than a hole. Then the student will try again, but will miss punching in the exact same spot. The result is many small spraying cuts, which sound fun but are really, really annoying by the end of the year! Sometimes over zealous student punch a hole through the other side of the tube. Pay attention to what you are doing!

Important: Push all microtubing on all the way! This takes some hand strength, but everyone can learn to do this. Do not chew on the end of the microtubing or do anything to make the tubing looser or bigger than it should be. If your tubing is really being stubborn, set it out in the sun for a couple of minutes to warm up a little. Cut off flared, tattered, poorly cut or used mircotubing ends. You need a nice, tight seal.