Drip-kit with a water pump?

12 years ago

Hello fellow gardeners,

I have 4 planters 36" wide with flowers in them. They are on a patio with no water source. So, I am looking for an automated watering system that uses a canister of sorts.

I was originally considering the "Oasis - Self Plant Watering System". However, it is not convenient for me to suspend this system at a height above my flowers.

So, I was thinking that I could get a beginner's Drip-kit and connect it to a water pump sitting in a bucket of water. Is this realistic? For example, can a water fountain pump create enough pressure?

Thank you,

Ron

Featured Answer

lehua49

12 years ago

rb,

You need to know how much water you needs to provide your plants through their life cycle (max water demand). You can do this by deciding the amount and then determine how many irrigation emitters or heads you will use. Each emitter uses up some pressure and flow. Emitter literature will tell you the flow rate for a specific system design pressure pressure. Add up all the emitters flow rates add 20% and that is you pump flow rate. If your system's emitters uses a certain pressure(psi) to give the flow rate you want then the pump needs to meet that pressure(psi) plus 20% plus vertical elevation difference(in feet) from pump outlet to flower beds times 0.5 for conversion to psi.

That is about it, good luck. There is always trial and error. Look up 1/6 or 1/2 hp pumps. I would go will the larger size in case you want to expand. Larger flow rate pump just means shorter run time to irrigate. JMHO Aloha

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Comments (7)

rbenchetrit
Original Author
12 years ago
Ok, I found from one drip kit manufacturer that I need 20psi and 2gpm flow rate. So I did some searches and found a Flojet intended for campers that may due the trick. It's the 03526 model for about $45. Am I on the right track?

Thanks
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lehua49
12 years ago
rb,

I don't think this is a submersible pump, so it can't sit in the water bucket. It could be mounted just next to the bucket and pull the water from the bucket into your drip tubing mainline. It is not a big investment. Give it it a try. If it doesn't work try something a little heftier and with more flow rate. Too much is better than not enough. You can always pressure regulate to 20 psi cheaply with an in-line PR. So the kit requirements plus 20% is 25 psi and 2.5 gpm or 120 gph. The pump literature say it give 50 psi and 3 gpm. No expansion capacity with this pump. Should be good if it performs as advertised. Made in China. Let us know if it doesn't. JMHO. Aloha
tn_gardening
12 years ago
I'd say that a small submersible fountain pump will work just fine for the four planters you have.

I have a small submersible fountain pump (i think it's got a 140 gph rating) and it pumps a fair amount of water up and in to my plants (and I use a tiny, 1/4" drip irrigation water line).

I'm planning on doing something similar with a rain barrel, some adjustable emitters and a larger (1/2" or 3/8") water line so I can pump the water from a bucket in to my larger vegetable garden.

Although I haven't installed it yet, I've noticed that the larger water line pumps an even greater amount of water (duh!) and ought to be fine.

fountain pump cheap irrigation line w/ emitters
tn_gardening
12 years ago
OK.

I just did it.

I used my small (140 gph) fountain pump submerged in a 5 gallon bucket to irrigate my 10-15 plants with a small 1/4" line and drip emitters.

Worked quite well.
kevinbarbee
9 years ago
You might try one of these systems:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardena-System-Flower-Watering-1407-20/dp/B0001E3SBS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427981354&sr=8-2&keywords=gardena+window+box

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardena-GA1265-28-Garden-Holiday-Watering/dp/B0064A5NTS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427981194&sr=8-2&keywords=gardena+holiday

If you are in the USA, you'll need an adaptor for the receptacle. They work like a charm.
Hemanth K c
2 years ago
What type of pump can be used in terrace garden of plants of 150