Drip Irrigation Systems

Hello all!

I'm hoping for a little advice here, but here's a bit of background on what I'm trying to achieve. My grandad has recently passed away, and he was a keen gardener with a smallish garden and a greenhouse. As my nan isn't able to get around too easily, I've agreed to continue my grandad's legacy and take on the garden. But here's the sticking point; the only gardening I've ever done was helping my grandad sow seeds back when I was in primary school!

I know this will be quite a bit to take on, but I'm prepared to give it a go nonetheless. First and foremost, I've decided to install a drip irrigation system, as I'll be unable to get out and water the plants every day due to work commitments, especially as my job entails a lot of travel.

So I've bought a drip irrigation system and started installing it, but I've ran into a bit of a problem. The supply pipe that came with the system is more like hard plastic than any bendable material. I know that these systems are provided with elbows and Ts and so on for going around corners, but that isn't the problem here. The issue is that I cannot lay the pipe in a straight line without damaging it, as it just wants to stay coiled. Every time I try to straighten out even a small section of pipe, it bends under the pressure and develops a dent that is really hard to remove due to the nature of the plastic. I honestly can't see a way of getting the pipe to work!

So does anyone have any advice here? Has anyone else experienced similar problems? Would it be ok to use garden hose as a supply pipe or would this not be suitable?

I'd much appreciate any help - and sorry about the huge post!!

- morepunk

 

lay it out, as straight as you can, in the sun for the day. Straighten it some more, let the sun have another go. That should do it. Bit of a faff though ...

 

A bowl of hot water should soften it up for long enough,just soak it for a few minuets and the plumb to required location.If the one end goes hard again just immerse it again.
If it is just a case of a straight length even a warm water dip and place it between some formers,heavy books for example or a few nails in a length of wood and retrain the pipe!

If its only short friction from your hands rubbing it might work.

 

Thanks both for your great suggestions. I'll give them a go and see how I get on!

 

Borrow the OH hair dryer for a day

Jack McH