This native mesquite is in a distant corner of a large property so it didn’t make sense to install permanent irrigation to just one tree in a remote location. This temporary root zone drip hack will be used to boost the struggling plant for a year or two while it develops a deeper root system. The timer is set to run once every other week for four hours at a time. That will taper off and once this tree is on its feet, it will be watered very deeply three or four times per year. The bulk of the watering is happening below ground at the bottom of the 9” hydrospiral tube. See this in action in our watering video.

Current usage per weekly watering: 3 emitters at 1GPH x 3 hours = 9 gallons/session

The only special tool needed is a tubing punch, simple (left) or fancy (right). The punch is for inserting emitters or barbs into 1/2” poly tubing. 

Here’s how we put the system together: 

1. Battery or solar operated hose timer ($8-25)
2. Pressure regulator ($5)
3. Garden hose (already had)
4. Hose adapter, hose to 1/2” tube ($3)
5. 12’ of 1/2” drip irrigation poly tube, wrapped in a semi-circle ($10) to close off the end of the 1/2” tube, we simply bent it back sharply and wired it tightly
6. Three barbs punched into 1/2” tube, connect to micro tubing $(5)
7. Three 2” wide x 18” long Hydrospirals, 1gph in line emitters pre installed ($13 ea, $39)

The system cost was $87, and took 3 hours to install. The timer and pressure regulator are optional but you’ll need to manually turn the faucet on and off, and remember to keep the hose bib flow on low. 

Use code "MBCA" when ordering hydrospirals for free shipping and 10% off!

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