Drip VS SWC

rtvvvv · February 25, 2015

Has anyone done a side by side, all things equal comparison between these two methods? I've been using homemade earthbox kinda thing for years. ( with good results) this year i was thinking of trying much larger
containers and maybe a drip so i didn't have to do any modifications of the large containers (20-30 gal). just wondering!

Thanks!

snugglekitten · February 25, 2015

I was a drip guy for years, I actually created my own system to some extent with the wick in perpetual contact with the soil.

Not anymore - I just flood and I mean FLOOD my pots about once a week, or twice in the hot summer. This has given me over all less issues, and happier folliage.

Of course the later hinges upon drilling a few holes in the bottom so you don't get root rot.

elight · February 26, 2015

I have both in my garden right now, although have more experience with SWCs. They're easy because the plants always have exactly the right amount of moisture (although my problem was that I could never completely keep the roots out of the reservoir). Now I have 3 raised beds and 9 grow bags on drip and I'm still learning what works. I think I wasted a lot of water last season. For 1"/week, I now realize that I only need to run the 1/2 gpm drip lines at 6" spacing for a couple minutes twice a day (realistically more as it heats up here in Zone 9b - of course then it will also start raining).

Mostly, if you want to grow in something larger than 5 gallon buckets, I find that building good SWCs (like EarthTainers) can get expensive and are a bit to maintain and clean out, even though my growing experience with them has been very good.

heirloomtomaguy · February 26, 2015

I use drip in both my pots and my in ground rows. Im sold on drip especially if you have alot of plants. Takes an hour or two job every other day in the summer down to no time watering. Leaves more time to enjoy your plants.

Cole_Robbie · February 26, 2015

I've been wanting to try some Dramm dribble rings. They look like a neat product.

rtvvvv · February 27, 2015

If i was to go the SWC route, i wonder how much of a reservoir would be needed for a 20 or 30 gallon container?

Worth1 · February 27, 2015

Why no have the best of both worlds.

Not saying buy the pricy thing but this is a good idea if done properly.
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Un...e-p/a-dd14.htm
Another idea would be to put underground drip line at the bottom of each container.
It has copper in it and the roots wont grow into it.
Here in Texas in the city of San Marcos it is now law that if the property is on a certain grade a new sprinkler system has to be underground drip.
This stuff works.
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Ra...-09-12-100.htm

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...87269000,d.eXY

https://www.rainbird.com/documents/d...esignGuide.pdf

Worth

rtvvvv · February 27, 2015

what an interesting idea! I'll take a look at those links..wonder if the nozzles would clog?

Thanks!

Worth1 · February 27, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtvvvv

what an interesting idea! I'll take a look at those links..wonder if the nozzles would clog?

Thanks!

Not according to the data I have collected.

If you will go to the last link it is a PDF file with instructions on how to install the drip line underground.
I know it can be modified for containers.
The most important thing is to have the water on a good 200 mesh filter.
I tried several cheap ways and it didn't pay off.
So I finally did it right and I haven't had a problem since.

If you are interested I would be more than glad to help.

Worth

rtvvvv · February 27, 2015

Thanks! i'm reading the stuff now!

Worth1 · February 27, 2015

How many containers are you going to have?

Worth

rtvvvv · February 27, 2015

well if i get the big containers (20-30GAL) i think anything more than 4 might be too crowded in a 6x8 greenhouse. i'll plant some outside in containers when the weather allows. i have about 30 plants in the basement getting ready. i'll no doubt have a bunch to give to neighbors!

JamesL · February 27, 2015

Dramm dribble rings - These look rather cool. Been looking at options for watering growbags.

Have you looked at the Earthtainer?
http://www.tomatofest.com/pdfs/Earth...tion-Guide.pdf

I have these minifloats installed in all of my SIP's and they work perfectly connected to a hose timer.
http://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-M...s=kerick+MA252

rtvvvv · February 27, 2015

James
i'll take a look..Thanks!

rtvvvv · February 27, 2015

James, the earthtainer is EXACTLY what i have been using for years! I like the float thing it would be perfect for those! maybe i'll use them outside this year and retro fit them with the float valves.

February 25, 2015	#1
rtvvvv Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: mi Posts: 80	Drip VS SWC Has anyone done a side by side, all things equal comparison between these two methods? I've been using homemade earthbox kinda thing for years. ( with good results) this year i was thinking of trying much larger containers and maybe a drip so i didn't have to do any modifications of the large containers (20-30 gal). just wondering! Thanks!

February 26, 2015	#4
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	I use drip in both my pots and my in ground rows. Im sold on drip especially if you have alot of plants. Takes an hour or two job every other day in the summer down to no time watering. Leaves more time to enjoy your plants. __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

February 27, 2015	#7
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Why no have the best of both worlds. Not saying buy the pricy thing but this is a good idea if done properly. http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Un...e-p/a-dd14.htm Another idea would be to put underground drip line at the bottom of each container. It has copper in it and the roots wont grow into it. Here in Texas in the city of San Marcos it is now law that if the property is on a certain grade a new sprinkler system has to be underground drip. This stuff works. http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Ra...-09-12-100.htm https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...87269000,d.eXY https://www.rainbird.com/documents/d...esignGuide.pdf Worth Last edited by Worth1; February 27, 2015 at 11:44 AM.

February 27, 2015	#15
rtvvvv Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: mi Posts: 80	James, the earthtainer is EXACTLY what i have been using for years! I like the float thing it would be perfect for those! maybe i'll use them outside this year and retro fit them with the float valves. Last edited by rtvvvv; February 27, 2015 at 02:09 PM.

February 25, 2015	#2
snugglekitten BANNED Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Land of the White Eagle Posts: 341	I was a drip guy for years, I actually created my own system to some extent with the wick in perpetual contact with the soil. Not anymore - I just flood and I mean FLOOD my pots about once a week, or twice in the hot summer. This has given me over all less issues, and happier folliage. Of course the later hinges upon drilling a few holes in the bottom so you don't get root rot.

February 26, 2015	#3
elight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 349	I have both in my garden right now, although have more experience with SWCs. They're easy because the plants always have exactly the right amount of moisture (although my problem was that I could never completely keep the roots out of the reservoir). Now I have 3 raised beds and 9 grow bags on drip and I'm still learning what works. I think I wasted a lot of water last season. For 1"/week, I now realize that I only need to run the 1/2 gpm drip lines at 6" spacing for a couple minutes twice a day (realistically more as it heats up here in Zone 9b - of course then it will also start raining). Mostly, if you want to grow in something larger than 5 gallon buckets, I find that building good SWCs (like EarthTainers) can get expensive and are a bit to maintain and clean out, even though my growing experience with them has been very good.

February 26, 2015	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I've been wanting to try some Dramm dribble rings. They look like a neat product.

February 27, 2015	#13
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Dramm dribble rings - These look rather cool. Been looking at options for watering growbags. Have you looked at the Earthtainer? http://www.tomatofest.com/pdfs/Earth...tion-Guide.pdf I have these minifloats installed in all of my SIP's and they work perfectly connected to a hose timer. http://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-M...s=kerick+MA252