Pressure regulator
A regulator brings faucet pressure down to the 25 to 30 psi most drip parts are made for. Which outlet psi to choose, what the inlet rating means, and which raised bed kits include one.
Drip irrigation parts for raised beds
What each part does, the figures that matter when you buy one, and which of the kits we cover already include it. The order of the parts at the faucet differs between makers, so follow the manual for your kit. Beds near a lawn zone can run from a sprinkler head instead, through a converter.
Filter
A 150 to 200 mesh screen keeps grit out of drip emitters. What the mesh numbers mean, the pressure and flow ratings makers publish, and why a filter is not backflow protection.
1/4-inch dripline and tubing
The small tubing that carries water along each row. Emitter spacing and flow, the maximum length of one run, and the difference between blank micro tubing and dripline.
1/2-inch distribution tubing
"Half-inch" drip tubing comes in several real sizes that take different fittings. The sizes makers publish, how far one run can go, and how to match fittings.
Fittings
Barbed fittings go inside the tubing and compression fittings over it, so they are sized differently. How to match them, and the connectors, plugs and end closures a raised bed layout needs.
Hose-end timer
A battery timer at the faucet turns drip on and off. The pressure ranges makers publish, why the timer goes before the regulator, and that hose timers do not prevent backflow.
Backflow preventer
A backflow preventer stops garden water being drawn back into your drinking water. The two hose-thread standards, what government agencies advise, and which raised bed kits include one.
Sprinkler-to-drip converter
A converter turns one pop-up sprinkler head into the start of a drip line, with the filter and pressure regulator drip needs. Rain Bird’s 1800 Retro and Raindrip’s RS2DC compared.
Work out the quantities
The drip line and parts calculator counts dripline, emitters, connectors and closures for your beds. To check a whole kit against your beds and faucet, use the irrigation fit checker.