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How do we test pH levels in hydroponics?

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Hydroponics comes from a Greek word that means “to work with water.” Hydroponics offers an innovative way to grow plants without needing soil. Hydroponic farming involves enriching a water solvent with the nutrients that plants need to grow. From the term “hydroponics”, we may think it is a relatively new area. However, it has been used for centuries. Historically, there are records of hydroponics being used in Mexico and Egypt long before it was commercialized in the 1970s. Hydroponic gardens can be both indoor and outdoor, or even on your balcony, terrace, or whatever small space you can find!

HOW TO TEST PH LEVELS IN HYDROPONICS.

PH is a way of expressing the alkalinity or acidity of a solution. It stands for “potential hydrogen.” The right PH is critical to the growth of plants. Without a well-balanced PH, the plants will not be able to absorb the nutrients. Plants do relatively well with a PH of 5.0, for example, blueberry and potatoes and 7.5 like asparagus and broccoli. 5.0 to 7.0 is a healthy range for hydroponics although some plants may be able to tolerate higher PH levels.

Having a hydroponics garden or farm means that you will be adjusting the PH levels. There are different ways of testing the PH. The best and most accurate way to check your PH is with a digital PH meter (see Best pH Meter for Hydroponics). They offer ease of use and come at different sizes and prices. With a digital meter, you dip the specialized probe into the solution, and you can read the PH on the meter screen. Keeping an electronic PH meter reader, calibrated is essential. They are delicate gadgets, and you should keep an extra one around.

Another way to test PH is by using a liquid PH test. The liquid is a special dye. By adding one or two drops of it into a small sample of your nutrient solution, it changes color. The color is then matched to a PH chart. This method resembles the paper strip approach but gives a more accurate result than its counterpart. It is also the most popular.

Incase you are a beginner, you can consider using litmus paper strips for PH testing. These strips turn color when dipped into your nutrient solution. You can then compare the color on the paper strip to a PH chart, which tells you whether the solution is acidic, neutral, or alkali. While this is the cheapest method, it is not accurate.

CONCLUSION.

PH is not a stable variable in hydroponic farming. Your PH will go up and down depending on the source of your water and nutrients. It is highly recommended that you check the PH in your farm or garden at least once a day. A very low PH will indicate that your plants are getting too much nutrient solution. A very high PH will show the opposite; your plants are not getting enough nutrients. This can lead to an unhealthy yield and unhealthy plant. It is imperative that as a hydroponic farmer, you make sure your plants have prime PH levels for the best outcomes.

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How do you maintain pH balance in hydroponics?

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Hydroponics is a technique of cultivating plants without using soil. Instead, the root system is propped using inert agents such as rockwool, pellets made of clay, perlite, etc. and the nutrients are made available using water-soluble mineral nutrients. The rationale behind this is to allow the roots of the plant to directly access the nutrient solution and atmospheric oxygen, both crucial for plant growth and sustenance.

Why use hydroponics to grow things?

Since hydroponic plants have their roots directly accessing the nutrient solution, they do not need an elaborate root system like conventional plants to get their nourishment. Instead, they can use the saved energy on nurturing their leaves and stem. Also, since the root system is small and confined, hydroponic plants take up less space, and more plant growth can be seen over the same area as compared to non-hydroponic plants. Moreover, hydroponic plants report faster growth owing to the absence of soil-residing pests. Ample access to oxygen further rejuvenates hydroponic plants as oxygen helps in the swift absorption of nutrients, thus boosting plant growth. Hydroponics is an effective and ideal option for growing plants in limited spaces.

Role of pH in hydroponics

pH or potential of Hydrogen is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is (using best pH meter for hydroponics), it calculates the concentration of hydrogen ion in a solution. pH helps in determining the solubility of nutrients in a water-based solution, thus affecting the mobility and uptake of nutrients in plants. An ideal pH for hydroponic plants resides within the range of 5.8 to 6.8, with a pH of 6.3 being considered optimal. If pH is too high or low, plants cannot absorb and uptake certain nutrients and will show deficiencies, while there will be certain nutrients that will be heavily absorbed leading to toxicity. Hence, it is inevitable for hydroponics to maintain the desired pH levels.

Maintaining pH in Hydroponics

Maintaining the pH of hydroponics can be done using pH-Up and pH-Down solutions. pH-Up solutions are used to raise the pH level and pH-Down solutions are used to lower the levels of pH. Generally, acids-based solutions are used to lower the pH and base solutions are used to raise the pH.

A common choice for a pH-Down solution is phosphoric acid, while potassium hydroxide is a useful pH-Up solution. These solutions when used, should be allowed to diffuse and disseminate properly before re-administering them. For organic hydroponics, domestically used citric acid can be used as a pH-Down agent. Other options for adjusting pH include sulfuric acid and nitric acid, both of which can be effectively used as pH-Down solutions; however, they are more hazardous than phosphoric acid.

There is also the option of using domestic ingredients such as vinegar as a pH-Down and baking soda as a pH-Up solution. But household solutions do not help in the long run as they lack the pH buffer present in commercial solutions. Automatic pH controllers do an excellent job of sustaining pH to optimal levels; however, they are not cost-effective compared to pH-Up or pH-Down products.

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What causes pH to rise in hydroponics?

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Nowadays hydroponics is becoming widely popular both as a method of food production and as a hobby. It is commonly defined as a “soilfree” way of growing plants.

So how will the roots of the plant absorb nutrients needed if it uses no soil?

Simple: hydroponics utilizes a highly controlled environment!

Its success largely depends on a number of factors: how much nutrients are being fed into the system, the suitability of the medium used, and many others.

But one particular factor that must be closely monitored is this: the pH level.

Common literature indicates that the pH level of the system must be within the range of 5.5-6.5.

This magical range is the pH level at which most of the nutrients needed by the plant become available. For instance, when the pH is too high, there is a decreased availability of iron, copper, manganese, boron, and zinc. On the other hand, when the using one of the best pH meter for hydroponics and it shows the pH is too low, there is a decreased availability of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. As the plant grows, the pH of the system also changes, thus pH control and monitoring is necessary.

The pH level indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a solution or a system. Lower levels of pH (less than 7) indicate that the solution or system is acidic. Higher levels of pH (more than 7) indicate that the solution or system is alkaline.  It is important to keep the pH level within the acceptable range. However, under unavoidable circumstances, it is said that in hydroponics, less is always best.

So what causes the pH to rise?

There are several factors to this.  For instance, the use of gravel and sand of limestone origin as the hydroponic medium causes the pH to rise. Being a soilfree method, the medium to be used in place of soil should be able to sufficiently provide nutrients and water for the roots of the crop. However, the use of gravel and sand causes the medium’s aggregates to disintegrate over time. Since it is high in calcium carbonate (which is an alkaline), it adds alkalinity and decreases the acidity of the system, which means there is also an increase in pH level.

When using gravel and sand of limestone origin and other calcium carbonate-rich media, it is advisable to pretreat first the desired medium either by water leaching or acid leaching, or by soaking it in phosphate solution.

Not all kinds of gravel and sand increases pH to undesirable levels. Igneous gravel and sand are not known to affect the pH level.

Rockwool is another commonly used high pH medium. Similarly, it must be soaked overnight in an acidic medium to be safely used.

Other hydroponic media that are acidic or pH neutral and need no pretreatment includes coconut fiber, expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss.

Another reason for the pH to rise is when the crop is consuming more water than nutrients. This could mean that not enough nutrient is being supplied, or that the nutrients added are too diluted in water.  In this case, necessary nutrients must be added.

To sum up, two most important factors that cause the pH to rise are: the type of hydroponic medium used and the amount of nutrients added into the system.

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Best Metal Garden Hose (2020 Reviews Updated)

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Last Updated on July, 3rd 2020

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To be honest, plastic garden hoses can be ​real headache to use. They are prone to breaking, leaking and do not last long at all. Although low in price, purchasing a plastic hose and not a metal one was one mistake I definitely regret. However, as the years went by, I started to hear about how great metal garden hoses were. I finally decided to get one and give it a try, and the rumors were true, they are a superior choice to the plastic ones. There’s nothing like a metal hose. They don’t kink, they are durable, leak-proof, rust proof and do not break easily.

Best Metal Garden Hose

  1. Bionic Steel Lightweight 304
  2. Titan Heavy Duty Stainless
  3. 75-Foot Durable Metal
  4. Buyplus Stainless
  5. Pocket Hose
  6. Kink Free 304
  7. BEAULIFE Stainless
  8. Tiabo 75-Foot
  9. Forever 25-Foot
  10. QSP 50-Foot 

10 Best Metal Garden Hose Reviews 2020

Below you will find my top metal hose reviews of the ​top metal hoses. These stainless steel hoses are a budget-friendly price and easy to use.

1. Bionic Steel Lightweight 304 Stainless Steel

First up in our search, the Lightweight 304 stainless steel hose from Bionic Steel. As the name suggests, this is a lightweight and kink free stainless steel model that is considered one of the best hoses on the market for portability. It is a remarkable, long-lasting, high-quality 304 stainless steel hose. It’s credited with being leak-proof, puncture resistant and heat proof. It is also easy to coil for storage purposes.

This hose is available in various lengths, and even the largest size has a weight of less than 7 pounds. It offers a reliable structure which comprises of a latex-lined inner core and high-grade metal exterior. This is so that both hose cores work together to ensure a consistently smooth flow rate of water into the property. The exterior of these hoses are tear and puncture proof.

​I enjoy the sleek and slender design that makes it easy to grip and control. As if that is not enough, it is also durable and corrosion-resistant. 

Cons:

​We like how lightweight this product is, but on the flip side, this flexible metal garden hose tangles a lot. Therefore, you should keep it in a straight line. It also lacks the appropriate water pressure for watering plants and cleaning around. If you do not already have high-pressure water, then it is advisable to consider another option.​

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Bionic Steel Hose Reviews

2. Titan Heavy Duty Stainless

This steel garden hose is manufactured by Titan. It has a length of 75FT which makes this hose pretty reliable if you have a large garden to water. This hose boasts  a beautiful design with top-notch construction. Also, it lasts long because it has been made from the best quality materials. 

It has been manufactured in such a way that it is easy to install and use. Additionally, you do not have to stress about how to store it. This water hose rolls easily in such a way that it can be kept safe. This light-weight kink resistant hose is made of strong 304 stainless steel, is also known to resist tangles and penetration by thorns and other sharp items located around your property.

​When you purchase ​this hose, it comes with a brass spray nozzle so there no need to buy the nozzle separately. Brass is also fairly strong, so no breakage is likely to occur while using it to water your garden. An added advantage is that it is flexible, so it doesn’t require much effort every day use.

Cons:

One aspect that was a concern while using was the fact that this hose became a bit hot after staying out in the sun for a long period of time. Be sure to store it in the shade when not in use to avoid spraying hot water on to your plants and possibly damaging them.

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​3. 75-Foot Durable Metal

This metal garden hose has been made from genuine 304 corrosion-resistant  steel (2) with an 18 gauge. This shows that this hose is both durable and strong. Also, it does not crack, rust or break. This hose is reliable when used to water your garden and garage. I definitely attest to this.

​Being a lightweight hose at 9 pounds, I can easily carry ​it around my property with ease. It is UV resistant, which means it is perfect for the outdoors and can withstand tough environments when left outside in the sun for long. A lovely feature about this model is that it is cool to touch and does not burn my fingers when left exposed in the warm temperatures.

Cons:

This metal garden hose has some amazing features that make it worth the purchase. However, its diameter is quite small. This means that if you enjoy water coming out with a lot of pressure, this may not be the garden hose for you. Also, the fittings or ends have a weak spot that requires constant and careful holding while in use. Given my frequent gardening, this can be a task.

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​4. Buyplus Stainless Steel Garden Hose

This is one of the most sought after ​top metal garden hoses . This could be attributed to the fact that ​it is lightweight and portable. This is one important feature to look out for when purchasing hoses like these. In the same way, it’s easy to install and use.

Having been made from high-quality materials, these flexible hoses are leak proof, rustproof, waterproof and among others. When you purchase it, you can be sure about having it for a long time. ​

This steel hose has a length of 50 feet, making it convenient to walk around the property while you water your plants. One aspect to enjoy is that it can be loosened or tightened with the large hose fittings that it comes with.

Cons:

​On the downside, these metal hoses have a nozzle with a shut-off feature that is challenging to work around on. Out of all the features, this is the only problem (1) with it so it is a definite must-have.

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​5. Pocket Hose Stainless Steel Hercules Garden Hose

Best Metal Garden HosesThis model has the lowest price of all the hoses we’re reviewing. It’s also light in weight, thus making it easy to carry from one place to the other. Also, you can easily coil this hose after use for storage. You have no need to worry about tangling, tearing and coiling as it has been made in a way that sorts this issue.

The nozzle on these metal hoses sprays water with heavy force with no leaks. It is 50 feet in length, making this garden hose ideal to move around in order to wash your car, clean the yard and most importantly, water your garden. All this happens in a matter of minutes.

If this is your first metal hose purchase, this product may have a different feel to it. If you feel like water is not flowing to your satisfaction, extend it to ensure a smooth flow. When you get a hang of it, you will wish you had made the purchase sooner. It definitely is worth it. ​​

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Hercules Hose Reviews

6. Kink Free 304 Stainless Steel Metal Garden Hose

Why are you still using an old plastic garden hose when you can use one that will blow your mind away? These 50-foot UV resistant, 304 stainless steel hoses are made from stainless steel that is kink free and puncture proof. It is light in weight, hence it can be carried around from one corner of your property to the other.

Leaving this hose out under the sun should not be a cause for concern because this metal garden hose will stay cool enough to touch. The hose is extendable, which means you can connect another hose to make it longer. This is definitely an added advantage. The spray nozzle is a 7-way multipurpose component that is easy and fascinating to use.

Cons:

All in all, this garden hose is a great product for the money. However, the couplings are shorter than usual and would need some improvement as it is hard to screw them all the way to your faucet. To add on to that, leakage is also a major concern that is present but disheartening at the same time.

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7. BEAULIFE Stainless Garden Hose

This is one of the most sought-after metal garden hoses because it is resistant to harsh weather, tangles and tears. It’s also UV resistant, and stays cool to the touch when left out in the sun. ​This garden hose is known not to break down due to high water pressure, and thus you can use it regularly for watering plants.

Moreover, this hose has a large diameter, which provides enough room for water to flow smoothly and at a high pressure. This metal garden hose is puncture proof, tear proof and will last you for many years.

It has a length of 50 feet, making ​this ​metal garden hose ideal for washing your plants and carrying out other activities around your property. Furthermore, this garden hose has been made from rubber, which provides a comfortable soft grip when using the equipment around the property. One of the best features about this garden hose is that you can customize the pressure of the spray nozzle due to its different patterns. This gives you control and helps you promote water conservation.

Cons:

With this metal ​garden hose, you should be careful while screwing the faucet connector to the spigot. This is because when it is too tight, water can easily spray all over the place and cause wastage. It is better to overtighten the hose than to fasten it loosely.

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8. Tiabo 75-Foot Metal Garden Hose

This is one long metal garden hose as it measures 75 feet long. This makes it easy to do all the activities, including watering plants around the house as ​this hose extends. This hose is made from 304 stainless steel, which means it is flexible and durable, able to handle all tasks.

All your worries about coiling and twisting your garden hose will disappear when you purchase this as it is weather-proof and tangle resistant. The spray nozzle consists of 7 different spray patterns, namely; mist, full, flat, jet, center and shower to make it easy for you to customize the pressure you would love to use.

Cons:

​These hoses will get the job done efficiently and effectively. Nevertheless, when the garden hose is stretched out, the water pressure may drop off a little. This means that it may be slower doing some activities. Other than that, it is a pretty good garden hose.

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​9. Forever 25-Foot Stainless Steel Garden Hose

This garden hose ranks as one of the best models on the market right now. This can be attributed to the fact that it has a unique Flex-Ridge design that ensures it is perfect for use in possibly any outdoor working condition imagined. This hose is 5/8 in diameter, and has nickel and chromium structural properties that help in preventing hose corrosion over time.

It is long, lightweight and durable. It can be moved around with ease, as well as be carried around without having to struggle too much. Also, due to the high-quality metallic materials, this flexible hose will surely last for longer. You will enjoy how easy the hose coils to allow you to store it well.

It is resistant to harsh garden weather conditions and is leak proof. This is definitely every gardener’s dream. What’s more, ​this ​water hose is impervious to UV radiation, which ensures it is protected at all times

Cons:

On the flip side, these hoses are 25 feet in length, which is relatively shorter when compared to others in the market. If you would like to an array of water activities, this might not be the hose for you. The fittings are made up of steel, not brass, so it can get a bit difficult to operate. In addition, it has a narrow diameter, which slows down the flow rate of water. We end up taking longer than we should in doing activities such as watering plants. This is definitely a bummer!

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Forever Steel Hose Reviews

10. QSP 50-Foot Stainless Steel Metal Garden Hose

This flexible garden hose manufactured by Quality Source Product. It is a super high-quality stainless steel metal garden hose that measures 50 feet long, making it reliable. It is considered one of the best garden hoses on the market. This is because it’s UV resistant, which means it stays cool to the touch even after being out in the sun for hours. It’s also rustproof, waterproof, leak-proof and among other advantages.

It has a durable construction, which goes hand-in-hand with high-quality material. With such features, this top ​garden hose is definitely bound to last longer. Also, this hose is easy to coil for storage purposes. It can be carried around with ease even though it has been manufactured from high-quality materials because of being light in weight.

The couplings in this top garden hose are made of high-quality brass, which helps prevent leaks. Also, the brass makes it pretty strong. This means that even if you step on the hose or a dog chews on it, the hose is able to withstand all of that without bending or breaking. This is definitely better than a rubber hose or plastic hose.

Cons:

​There is only a slight concern with this hose. It has a narrow design which does not allow a continuous flow rate of water at high pressure. All the same, with the slightly lower pressure, you can still manage to water your plants as they require a lower water pressure anyway. This is one of the ​top metal garden hoses that you will be sure to keep for a very long time.

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So there you go. The 10 best stainless steel garden hoses have been reviewed for you. Our list has something to offer at various price points, so there are options for every budget. We know the internet can have a ton of information that can make your search overwhelming, so we hope our reviews help you to decide which steel garden whose is best for you!

Table of Content

Metal Garden Hose Reviews

  1. Bionic Steel Lightweight 304
  2. Titan Heavy Duty Stainless
  3. 75-Foot Durable Metal
  4. Buyplus Stainless
  5. Pocket Hose
  6. Kink-Free 304
  7. BEAULIFE Stainless
  8. Tiabo 75-Foot
  9. Forever 25-Foot
  10. QSP 50-Foot 

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Best Drip Irrigation System Kits Review 2020

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Last Updated on July, 3rd 2020

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I spend years hand watering my entire garden and after several years of low rain I finally decided to look into what the best drip irrigation system was to use for my garden.

Best Drip Irrigation System Kits Review 2020

  1. Raindrip R560DP Automatic System
  2. Orbit 69525 Micro Bubbler System
  3. Habitech Adapter
  4. Drip Depot Premium Irrigation Kits
  5. Dig GE200 Kit
  6. Mister Landscaper MLK-VEG
  7. Rain Bird GRDNERKIT
  8. KingSo Micro Kit System
  9. Koram Easy Set Drip Irrigation Kit
  10. Orbit 69500

A drip setup basically consists of a long hose with small holes – called emitters – located at various distances along its length, connecting to a water source through a valve. Between the valve and the garden hose, which is called drip tubing, is located a system composed of a filter, pressure regulator, and a back-flow preventer.

To water your plants in your garden, the best drip irrigation setup releases water slowly at or near the roots of the plants. These products maximize irrigation efficiency because water soaks into the soil immediately, thus reducing evaporation. Here are the top 10 drip irrigation setups on the market. I hope you find this article helpful.

The 10 Best Drip Irrigation Kits (2020 Reviews)

1. Raindrip R560DP Automatic System

​The Raindrip Automatic is an amazing value considering the watering package not only comes with tubing, heads, ground stakes, and more, but also with a handy timer that can be used to fully automate the entire irrigation drip program. Set it up once and then allow it do the work. Raindrip makes an excellent product.

Pros:

  • ​Timer threaded for standard spigot
  • ​Requires little prior knowledge
  • No tools required

Cons:

  • ​Irrigation fittings tend to leak

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2. Orbit 69525 Micro Bubbler System

​Best Drip Irrigation System - Soaker hoses for contact garden wateringGet the Orbit 69525 Micro Bubbler set up and going in as little as 15 minutes, so there’s no need to sacrifice the entire weekend just to set it up. The flexible tubing makes it simple to get around obstacles, making it easy for yards.

Pros:

  • ​Can easily connect multiple watering units
  • ​Instructions are very useful
  • ​Allows for targeted spraying

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3. Habitech Adapter Kit

​Shop onlineIf you only have a small garden to worry about — or even if you plan on building your drip watering setup a piece at a time — then the Habitech Adapter products are a great way to get started. The irrigation system attaches directly to a hose or tap, transforming it into a steady, easy-to-manage drip irrigation kits.

Pros:

  • ​Automatically lowers high pressure
  • ​Mesh filter helps keep debris out
  • ​Works on all standard spigots

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4. Drip Depot Premium Irrigation Kits

​1/2 inch Drip Irrigation KitsNo tools are needed to ensure that your plants get lots to drink when you have the Drip Depot Premium. These drip irrigation kits connect to any standard tap or garden hose, allowing for an easy setup and making it a good for green thumbs without a lot of technical know-how.

Pros:

  • ​These products work best with programmable timers
  • ​Video-based instructions
  • No tools needed
  • ​Perfect for potted plants

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5. Dig GE200 Kit

​Dig GE200 drip irrigation kits can irrigate up to 700 square feet of ground, so if you have a lot of vegetation to water, it’s a great choice. These drip irrigation systems work especially well on hillsides, ensuring that you’ll be able to cover uneven terrain with lush green, beautiful plants.

Pros:

  • ​Includes micro sprayers
  • ​Perfect for watering flowering plants
  • ​​Includes back flow preventer

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6. Mister Landscaper MLK-VEG Supplying Kit

​The Mister Landscaper MLK-VEG allows you to individually control each row of irrigation tubing, only watering as much as needed. They also send you a DVD to help with setting up everything for their drip irrigation kits, so you can get this set up and running in no time.

Pros:

  • ​Spikes to elevate line
  • ​Ideal for watering raised vegetable gardens

Cons:

  • Valves can need frequent replacement

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7. Orbit 69500

​Lawn Garden Drip Systems and Soaker HosesOrbit 69500 products a great choice for the home gardener who already has a drip irrigation system in place but who now needs to upgrade or alter it. These products come with more than ninety components that allow for the perfect watering customization.

Pros:

  • ​Useful case helps with organization
  • ​Each watering head has own valve control

Cons:

  • Irrigation drip components are rather flimsy

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8. Koram Easy Set Drip Irrigation Kit

Drip Systems and Soaker HosesIt’s fine if you’re not a plumber if you want the Koram Easy Set kit watering your yard. The whole setup for these products is above-ground, so you won’t need to dig a lot of holes in order to run the tubing across your lawn.

Pros:

  • ​Includes installation tools
  • Easy set up
  • ​Clearly labeled parts

Cons:

  • ​Can’t handle high water pressure

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9. KingSo Micro System

​​Soaker HosesMade from UV-resistant materials, the KingSo Micro products are a durable solution that will keep your vegetable garden healthy for years to come. It features adjustable tops, allowing you to save water without making your plants have to suffer.

Pros:

  • ​​Great for smaller plots​
  • ​Generous 82-foot hose
  • Save water with adjustable tops

Cons:

  • ​Doesn’t come with instructions

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10. Rain Bird GRDNERKIT Drip System

​Soaker Hoses The Rain Bird GRDNERKIT does a good job of watering a few trees, especially when they’re in a straight line. This Rain Bird garden hose is much too rigid to snake around your yard, though, so don’t expect Rain Bird kit to be able to handle a wide array of vegetation.

Pros:

  • ​Includes galvanized stakes
  • ​Easy-attach couplings

Cons:

  • Includes only a few emitters

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Buying Guide

​What is a Drip Irrigation System?

Simply put, uses low pressure and low volume water to slowly water your plants 24/7. You can apply various spray patterns and nozzles to keep the foliage moist and the roots moist all the time. This of course will help your plants grow more quickly and prevent you from having to water them everyday, which helps save you time.The popularity of irrigation has risen over the past few years. Many people just don’t have the time to water their gardens and this is one of the easiest and most cost efficient ways to do that. The other big factor for many gardeners can be a lack of fresh water. Many places are going through extreme droughts and a water efficient can save you hundreds of gallons on your garden every year.

By reducing the amount of water you use on your garden you can end up saving quite a bit of money and water. Unlike an expandable garden hose, you can use your to add fertilizer quickly, which helps promote better growthx. By putting the water right at the root zone, you aren’t wasting water by having hit the foliage or other places where it won’t help the plant, and can actually hurt it.

​Sprinkler Emitter

One of my favorite emitters are the drip irrigation sprinklers. They can cover a pretty large area and you don’t have to worry about specially dripping water onto individual plants. The drip irrigation sprinklers fit and standard ¼” tubing and can be adjusted to either produce a slow drip or a large spray to cover several plants.

This way you can use one emitter to water several plants. They don’t easily get clogged and the water flow is fairly constant. The best designs I have used with regard to irrigation use only these sprinkler drippers to cover larger areas and save more water.

Spot Watering Emitters

Are inserted directly into the tubing and emit water via the nozzle on the end. One of the most common types of emitters is a 1 gallon per hour (GPH) spot watering emitter that will deliver 1 gallon per hour @ 15-50 PSI. The great thing about these is that they are designed using high quality plastic and are UV resistant. Most emitters will fit into just about all hose tubing but you might want to double check this to be sure.

​​Components

When looking for the best drip irrigation setup you will find there are a lot of components and it may seem a bit overwhelming at first. Let’s take a look at the sample diagram above a basic with three connections and see how it works.

It is much less expensive if you purchase an Irrigation Assortment Kit and the amount of hose you need. The Drip Irrigation 1/4″ Tubing is also much cheaper than a regular rubber garden hose. It is made from 1/4″ polyethylene material which is pretty durable.

Garden Hose Socket simply connects to your tap and is designed to fit all regular sized water taps.

Tubing Quick Connector allows water to flow from the hose in one direction and  not flow backwards when the water is turned on. This will affect the water flow rate of the entire setup if it didn’t have this component.

Barbed Tee connector is a simple T-connector to combine three hoses together. Tubing Quick Connector allows you to collect two tubes together.

Stakes allows you to secure your tubing into the ground and prevents bugs or dirt from getting into or onto your hosing.

Risers act similar to stakes but allow you to lift the material off the ground and you can use different size as the plant grows taller.

Tee Pipe Connector lets you to put tubing into two sides and a coupling on the other side. Atomizing Nozzle attaches to the end of a coupling and is where the water comes out.

You can have it spray as broad of spray pattern as you want. Slowly drips water out and does not spray it out like the nozzle. End closure allows the water to stop and prevents it from leaking out.

​Benefits Of A Drip Irrigation System

For many people, the system is the best and most cost-effective way to ensure that their lawn or vegetable gardens stays healthy and fertile as long as possible.

The reason why they can save you money is because they don’t use as much water as many other gardening watering systems. Because they deliver water straight to the root of the plant, rather than dispersing it over a wide area, there’s less waste (3)without depriving your precious plants of the water they need.

The systems are also easier to customize to your particular situation. Most layouts use extremely flexible hosing that you can snake around obstacles, allowing you to be absolutely certain that you won’t miss a single plant in your gardens.

It also reduces the need to alter your landscape. You don’t need to level out your lawn, or move any tree stumps or fence posts that might be in your way. It’s an extremely low-effort solution, even when factoring in installation.

You’ll likely also encounter fewer weeds when you use a drip system, as virtually all the water you use will be soaked up by your plants. There won’t be large patches of wet, fertile ground for crabgrass or dandelions to sprout up, reducing the amount of time you have to spend outside with your hoe digging then up.

Drip systems aren’t all sunshine and unicorns, however. You will pay a little more up-front to install one, and the sun could damage the tubes over time. Additionally, basic ​periodic maintenance (1) will likely be required to make sure that nothing gets clogged.

All in all, though, you’ll likely find that keeping a lush, green garden is much easier (and cheaper in the long run) with a installed.

​Tips for getting the most out of ​the drip irrigation system

Once you’ve finally made the decision to convert your landscaping (2) over to a drip irrigation system, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Before getting started, you need to plan out the best drip irrigation system and examine your terrain. Remember that water going uphill requires more pressure, and you’ll want to make sure that you’ll have enough to sufficiently water any plants in high terrain.

Decide if you’re going to automate your entire operation, as well. Obviously, if you do, you’ll need to invest in a good quality timer, that can save you a massive amount of time and frustration down the line, which is really the point of installing one of these things!

You also need to be able to look into the future a little bit. Are your plants going to get bigger and require more water? Will you be expanding your lawn or vegetable gardens, and that can easily be extended? While it may now be essential to answer these questions before you begin, doing so can certainly prevent yourself some frustration later on.

Be sure to soak your emitters in a vinegar and water solution every so often and to prevent magnesium or calcium build-ups. If not, the system could get clogged — and your garden could get under-watered.

The great thing about these systems is that, as long as they are installed correctly and you don’t let them fall into disrepair, they’re pretty hard to mess up!

Table of Content

Drip Irrigation System Kits Reviews

  1. Rain Bird GRDNERKIT
  2. KingSo Micro Kit System
  3. Koram Easy Set Drip Irrigation Kit
  4. Orbit 69500 Kit
  5. Mister Landscaper MLK-VEG
  6. Raindrip Automatic System
  7. Dig GE200
  8. Drip Depot Premium Irrigation Kits
  9. Habitech Adapter Kit
  10. Orbit 69525 Micro Bubbler System

How to choose the best drip irrigation system on the market

Good luck installing yours!

Additional Resources