New Versatile Trickle Ring for 2008!

Trickle, Drip, Sprinkle, or Spray

The Trickle Ring (R) has been modified this year by positioning the water delivery holes to point OUTWARDS, away from the trunk of the tree or shrub. This allows the rings to be used effectively around larger trees which have their root perimeters much further away from the trunks than smaller trees.

By increasing supply pressure, the water will be directed further away from the trunk and concentrate soil saturation at the root extemities to encourage growth and help trees survive extended periods of dry weather.

The Trickle Ring will still function as a very effective drip irrigation device at low supply rates, but this change in hole orientation makes our Trickle Ring....

"The Most Versatile Landscape Irrigation Product on Earth"

and

Made in the U.S.A.!

Gator Woes Part Two- or- Welcome to Water Bag Land!

EEeeewwww........

These pictures illustrate what I wrote about in my previous posting. My appologies to the current residents, but is this really what they want seen from the street? This is a partial view of several hundred dollars worth of watering bags lining a very nice entrance and driveway, and the bags have not been refilled for some time. They DO provide physical protection to the tree trunks against weed-eaters and mowers, but ultimately they will be expensive death shrouds for these poor trees. There may even be a convenient water spigot near the gate which would have served as an ideal beginning for a Trickle Ring irrigation network. Coupled with a battery operated timer, these trees would all be watered on a pre-determined schedule at the same time. How easy could it be?

Gator Woes

How many times have you seen this? A big, new home has just been completed and in come the landscapers. The new owners spend who knows how many tens of thousands of dollars to have gorgeous trees and shrubs planted around the house, along the drive way, and flanking the gated entrance. What is one of the first things people notice as they drive by? Many times it is the flacid green plastic water bags wrapped around the base of all the new trees! Look, Honey, what a nice new house, but eeeewwww! Look at those BAGS!

I know, there are situations that warrant the use of these unsightly bags- remote locations which a garden hose or irrigation network does not reach. BUT...Somebody has to remember to manually fill them. Somebody has to physically transport 5, 10, or 15 gallons of water to that bag and fill it up at least once a week. Water is very heavy, and how realistic is that? The bags, expensive as they are, seem to be somewhat effective for the intended use of irrigation, but they do provide a harbor for moisture and insects which may promote fungus or diseases.

A better solution? Invest in several hundred feet of garden hose or irrigation tubing. Lay it in the grass or bury it under the turf and put a Trickle Ring around each tree with its own adjustable-flow "Y" connector. Simple. Once the tree gets larger and has a good root system established, after 2 years of growth, remove the rings. A network such as this could extend down the entire length of a long drive way, irrigating trees spaced at regular intervals for several hundred feet. Simple, effective, less expensive, and "invisible".

Several days later...

"Look, Honey, what a beautiful new home! And what a gorgeous line of trees along the driveway! Its been SO DRY, how DO they keep them looking so HEALTHY?"

They just HAVE to be using those TRICKLE RINGS!"

Conserve Water Using Drip Irrigation in Raised Garden Beds

This is an example of a raised garden vegetable bed using Trickle Rings to irrigate specific areas.

1. The rings, with drip holes facing downward, will be placed on top of permeable landscaping fabric. This will keep weeds from growing in the compost and help the planting medium retain moisture.

2. Holes will be cut through the fabric so vegetable seedlings or seeds may be planted within the rings or near them for desired spacing.

3. Each Trickle Ring is connected to the main supply hose using an adjustable "Y" connector. The water supply is adjusted to deliver a slow trickle to each ring.

4. Once vegetables are planted and the water supply has been adjusted as desired, the bed can be covered with a layer of mulch. This will reduce moisture loss and protect the fabric from degrading from the sun light.

5. The water supply will be connected to a battery operated timer to water the garden for 30 minutes every morning.

Advantages of this type of irrigation:

* Water is directed to the root perimeter of the plants.

* Water used for irrigation does not touch the leaves of the plants. Plants take in water through the roots. Wetting the leaves invites fungus, disease, and insects.

Don't waste water and time with sprinklers or soakers. www.tricklering.com

Trickle Ring- Drip Irrigation

This is my entry into the world of blogging- I sell drip irrigation rings of my own design on my web site www.tricklering.com. They are economical and efficient alternatives to soaker hoses and water (gator?) bags. I will be posting information regarding drip irrigation techniques and options in the future which may be useful to gardeners and landscapers who are interested in maximizing irrigation while conserving water!