Visual Inspection
One of the first steps you should take is to visually inspect all the compo-
nents of your drip irrigation system. Do you notice anything that seems
like it’s getting worn or doesn’t look as it should? These are the parts that
you’re going to want to replace sooner rather than later. After all, that worn
tubing may start leaking water out into areas that aren’t benefited by it,
costing you money and wasting water.
Cracks and Leak s
“DEPENDING ON WHAT
is running through your line,
your emitters can get clogged
up. Even a partial clog can
cause your crops to not get
the full amount of nutrients
and water they need.”
Any cracks or leaks you find should be fixed right away. With tubing, you
can repair or replace just a section, or replace the whole thing, depend-
ing on the severity of the damage. It’s possible that if you repair a section,
it could need replacing again in a short time. It may be easier to repair
during the season and replace at the end of the season, but it’s all up to
you and your set-up.
Algae and Bacteria Buildups
The inside of your drip irrigation tubes can look like a science project
gone bad. They can be green and slimy from a buildup of algae and
bacteria. Not only does this look gross, but it can also increase the
potential for clogs occurring in your lines when some of it breaks off and
goes through the tubes. Adding a commercial bacteria and algae control
agent is one way to battle this ongoing issue. You could also do a daily
rinse of chlorine in your lines. Two parts per million at the end of the
cycle for the day is enough to work on the bacteria and algae without
causing it to damage your set-up.
Emitters
One of the most important components of your system is the emitters,
which is where the water is released to your plants. Depending on what
is running through your line, your emitters can get clogged up. Even a
partial clog can cause your crops to not get the full amount of nutrients
and water they need. Magnesium and calcium salts are often culprits here.
You should rinse your emitters out as best you can, but they may require
a deeper cleaning. Soaking them for a few hours or overnight in a vinegar
and water solution is often a great way to get them clear. This may be an
additional chore for your end-of-year flushing tasks.
Filter
The next part that you should inspect is your filter. Screen filters and disc
filters should both be checked and cleaned periodically. Screen filters
often get clogged easier and can sometimes be difficult to clean. Disc
filters, in comparison, offer better filtering and easy backflushing in addi-
tion to being harder to clog.
Deep Clean
At the end of your growing season, you should consider doing a deep
clean on your system. You’ll want to flush the lines with a phosphoric,
sulfuric, or nitric acid solution. The lines should be flushed for about
an hour using your preferred acid. It may take longer if you have a
buildup in your system. Overnight soaking may be necessary for a really
stubborn buildup. After you’ve flushed the lines with the acid, you should
follow up with flushing the lines with water to remove the acid from your
drip irrigation system.
Remember to use caution when working with any acid. Use the proper
safety equipment to protect your skin and face. Also, be sure that you
don’t pour water into acid as this can cause the acid to splash out of the
container. Instead, add the acid to the water.
Your drip irrigation system takes care of you and your crops, so it only
makes sense to give it some TLC throughout the growing season. Don’t
take it for granted and it should keep running smoothly. It’s better to find a
small problem during your visual inspection and maintenance during the
year than to ignore it until a big problem arises.
grow cycle
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