I added 3 more 4×4 ceder raised beds to my vegetable garden this year and felt it was time to include an automated irrigation system.
This was my first attempt at this and I am very pleased with the results. In total the parts cost me just over $100 and looking back now I probably could do it again for around $75. There are numerous raised bed garden irrigation systems available but I found the most help at Lowes and Drip Depot.
My local Lowe’s has a great irrigation section and knowledgable staff if you want to piece a system together or check out one of these drip irrigation kits from Drip Depot. Their website contains a ton of useful information, videos and tutorials to help you understand how the various irrigation systems work and what you will need to build your own.
I will summarize my basic system below but your needs may be different. There are numerous sprayers and drippers to choose from so it all depends on your graden as to what exactly you will need. Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. Overall the system was very easy to put together and was complete with in 2 hours. Now that I have done one I could probably install a similar system in an hour.
All irrigation systems consist of the following sections:
1: Head Assembly
- Y Adapter $1.99:
I installed this so I can also attach a standard garden hose to water other plants which are not in the raised beds.
- Water Timer $30:
Allows you to set watering duration and days. There are numerous brands with different features which can range from $20-$150
- Back Flow Preventer $2.75:
Does exactly what it says. Prevents water from going back into the home water supply and contaminating it.
- Pressure Regulator $6.95:
Regulates the water pressure coming from your home line so that all sprayers maintain a constant flow of water
- In-Line Filter $4.75:
Filters the water to remove any dirt or impurities before reaching your plants. Also keeps emitters and sprayers from getting clogged with particles.
- Female Hose Thread Adapter $1.25:
Connects the head assembly to 1/2″ tubing supply line
- 1/2″ Tubing 100ft $11.75:
This is the main supply tubing which brings water to your garden
2: Supply line Connection To Beds
- “T” Adapter $1.19:
Allows water to branch off into 2 different directions. One line to the first raised bed and then the main supply line continues to the remaining beds.
- Elbow Connector $ 1.50 each:
Provides a 90 degree transition for the water
- 1/2″ “C” Tubing Clamp
Holds 1/2″ tubing firmly against raised bed
3: Drip Supply Lines
This is where it depends on what kind of plants you are growing, how large your bed is and how the plants are arranged and spaced.
There are numerous sprayers and drip emitters so it’s more of a personal preference.
- 32 GPH Microsprinkler on Spike with Adjustable Stream $6.99 Each:
These plug directly into the 1/2″ tubing on each bed and deliver the water to your garden. There are various sprayers and drippers. I chose to go with a 180 degree sprayer which covers the entire bed and also included a 12″ drip line for some of the larger plants.
Other tools you may or may not need:
- 1/4″ Hole Punch $2
Punches a hole into the 1/2″ supply tubing to insert your drip line.
- Figure 8 Hose End $.25 each
Used to close of the supply line to each bed. I used 4 of these. 1 on each raised bed.
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Grand Total: $105
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products I personally use.
When I built my raised beds, I put in sewer field lines between the rows, about 6″ deep. Capping one end, I put 90’s on the other end and let them sticking about 1′ above ground. Ran plastic 1/2″ tubing to each and, using a point off my automated watering system for my lawn and flower beds, have the water turn on for about 10 minutes, every 2 days. This has worked well for me for 3 years now. Before I plant my garden each spring, I spread weed blocking cloth over the top and just cut out an X for each plant. I have minimal weeding to do, the watering does itself and all I have to do is collect the vegetables. I grow tomatoes, okra, jalapimos. bell peppers, yellow peppers, cucumbers and snap beans.
Thanks for the input Bob! I’m always eager to hear others experience with raised beds and irrigation.
Hey Jad,
Love this post, thanks. I have been thinking of adding an irrigation system to my (2) 4×4 and (1) 4×12 raised beds but I’d like to hook it to my rain barrels. I have 2 rain barrels elevated to give me more pressure, think this would work with your system, or not enough pressure? What do you think?
Interesting question. My initial thoughts are there wouldn’t be enough pressure to use sprayers like my system; however, I think you could incorporate a drip system which would work very well. Also are the beds on the same level as the barrel or are on higher than the other? It would work best if the rain barrel was at a higher elevation.
Oh I see now that its elevated. I would use 12″ dropper hose or drip emitters.
Great! Thanks Jad
I thought that a drip system might work best. My husband elevated 2 of our rain barrels last year (now that was a project…table platform has to be able to support 700+ pounds with rain water in 2 of the barrels….so needed to cement the table into ground to properly secure the table)…anyways, think I am going to try the drip method. I too do square foot gardening…Love it! Followed you over from FBP 
Love your site and the feel of it. ~ Halle
shoot, one more thing…Southern girl at heart here…see in your bio that you live in Atlanta…I lived in Savannah, GA before moving to the Milwaukee area….quite a change for sure! I have always loved Atlanta and of course Savannah.
Savannah to Milwaukee! Quite a change for sure.