Advice on irrigation systems please.

[Pete Tattam]

I am a Town Council Tree warden and our group are currently planting street trees in verges around the town. as part of this operation we will also be assisting a primary school to plant a number of trees in their new wildlife area. They want to put in an irrigation system to use intermitently. My question is...is the use of a system in such a way practical or should it be left running continuously? Also is there a limit to the distance the system is viable over (there is a distance of 75m from water source to planted area and then 60m of area to be watered). water pressure in the area is good. Any manafacturers/suppliers recommended?

 

As an afterthought...what do you consider best protection for newly planted trees against the demon strimmer?

[David Humphries]

As an afterthought...what do you consider best protection for newly planted trees against the demon strimmer?

 

Education !

 

 

 

.

[Pedroski]

We've done several irrigation systems on private jobs. The weepy pipe is best as it works with low water pressure. The systems we have done have been a good couple of hundred metres plus, and water easily gets around the whole lot. We dig a narrow trench about 6 inches deep with a pick, put the pipe in, peg it down and bury it. Then chuck a load of mulch over the top to help retain moisture better. We also include in-line taps at certain junctions so that the supply to one area can be shut off or the flow reduced - handy for areas requiring less water. We set them up to be controlled by batter powered time switches. If you want any more info or want some practical on-the-job stuff then please feel free to ask. I'm also East Sussex.

[Pedroski]

Trees and demon strimmer..... as David said!

 

Or alternatively, a tree strimmer guard like the ones from Arbortech Strimmer Guard

[Pete Tattam]

Education !

 

 

.

 

True but unfortunately the council are only interested in low cost and speed. The contractors they use are sometimes a little slapdash to say the least.

[Pete Tattam]

Thanks Pedroski. I don't know when we will be doing the work yet but if we get stuck I'll give you a shout. What supplier do you use?

[Pedroski]

Pete, we use Unik Irrigation in Littlehampton. Very good they are, with plenty of help and good prices.

Pete

[face cord]

I looked into buying stimmer guards but they were expensive.

 

So decided to use milk plastic 2 litre cartons to make them. They have being very effective strimmer guards.

 

 

Turn them upside down cut the top of about halfway between handle top & the the cap top. Then make a hole above the handle bit & stick a bamboo cane thought the handle.

 

Kids in school could collect them.

 

They make very effective strimmer guards, I wonder if anyone elase has had the same idea?