How to Make a Drip System Out of a Bucket
Making your own bucket drip-irrigation system is a low-cost method providing water to garden plants. The finished system collects rainwater and directs it underground toward the plants' roots. Choosing a dark-colored bucket limits the amount of sunlight permeating the container and lowers algae growth.
Drill a hole into the side of the bucket, approximately 1 inch from the bottom edge. Make the hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the drip line so the tube fits snug when thread through the hole. Use a 3/16-inch drill bit for ΒΌ-inch diameter tubing.
Thread one end of the drip line tube through the hole so approximately 1/8 inch of tube is inside the bucket. Fit the screened female end fitting into the inside bucket hole so the shoulder fitting is next to the bucket wall.
- Making your own bucket drip-irrigation system is a low-cost method providing water to garden plants.
- Make the hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the drip line so the tube fits snug when thread through the hole.
Apply a plastic sealing compound around the outside edge of the hole to prevent leaking. Let the sealer dry completely before using the bucket to hole water.
Crimp over the end of the drip tubing with a pliers and tighten a hose clamp over top to close the tubing end.
Set the bucket on a large block next to the garden area so it is 6 to 12 inches higher than ground level. Run the tubing along the garden bed, in the desired area. Bury the tubing 2 to 3 inches into the soil.
Tip
Place a microtubing emitter at the location of each plant if you want water directed at each plant. Before burying the tubing, punch a hole into the tubing in the desired location. Insert the emitter end into the tubing and run the attachment toward the plant. Bury the drip line and microtubing emitter under the soil. Install a cut-off valve on the tubing near the bucket if you want to control the water flow. Cut the tubing 3 inches from the bucket and clamp the cut-off valve between each cut end.
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Tips
- Place a microtubing emitter at the location of each plant if you want water directed at each plant. Before burying the tubing, punch a hole into the tubing in the desired location. Insert the emitter end into the tubing and run the attachment toward the plant. Bury the drip line and microtubing emitter under the soil.
- Install a cut-off valve on the tubing near the bucket if you want to control the water flow. Cut the tubing 3 inches from the bucket and clamp the cut-off valve between each cut end.
Writer Bio
Jennifer Loucks has been writing since 1998. She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. She now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and business from University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
