A few weeks back, I saw an Instagram post from Lynsey Taulbee, of @muddyacresflowerfarm where she removed all the irrigation for her 15,000 plants. She is already my idol, but she gave me even more reasons to love her advice. I gave myself permission to look for a different alternative. While on vacation last week my husband and I toured the University of Tennessee Gardens, where I saw this fabulous invention that I needed in my life. I know it is just a sprinkler mounted on PVC pipe, but this could be the answers to my irrigation woes. My husband and I both took pictures, so that we could make one at home. We got back to the car, found the sprinkler head on Amazon quickly ordered two. They would be there by the time we got home. A quick run to Home Depot and I was off on another garden DIY adventure. Here is a picture of my final product:
Not too bad if I say so myself. Want to make one for yourself?
Here is the list of supplies:
1 - 3/4"x10' piece of PVC pipe
3 - 3/4" PVC caps
3 - 3/4" PVC tees
2 - 3/4" PVC male adapters
1 - 3/4"x 3/4" FIP adapter brass
PVC Pipe cement
1 - Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional 4" adjustable Pop-Up Gear Drive Rotor Sprinkler Spray Head, 40° To 360° Pattern, 25' - 52' Spray Distance
Tools needed:
Tape Measure & Sharpie
PVC Pipe Cutter or Saw (hacksaw or something similar will do)
Teflon Tape
I cut 4 pieces of the PVC Pipe at 12", taking two of the PVC pieces, I glued them on either end of the PVC tees. I glued two caps on that foot. Glue the remaining two pieces into another tee. Put 1 cap on one end and the male adapter on the other end. Then cut two pieces of the PVC pipe at 6", these are your center supports. Glue one end into the foot and the other end in the remaining tee. Make sure the center of the tee is facing up and is straight and level as possible, otherwise your sprinkler head will not spray correctly. Cut a 3" piece of PVC, glue into the middle tee, then glue the male adapter on the top.
After letting the glue dry, I then took the Teflon tape applying it to the top male adapter then screwed on the sprinkler head. Lastly you will attach the brass fitting onto the male adapter on the foot. Once it is all together attach your hose to test for any leaks. I added a quick connection onto mine to make removing the hose easier.