- 1). Measure the distance between each of your outdoor container plants and write the total on a piece of paper. Also count the number of containers you have and examine their sizes. Normally, one half-gallon-per-hour (GPH) water emitter is sufficient for a small plant, such as an herb. If you have larger plants in larger containers, you might need two or more 1- or 2-GPH emitters for each plant.
- 2). Purchase a drip irrigation kit designed for container plants that contains the correct amount of ¼-inch hose line and the correct number of emitters for your container situation. The timer you will be using will probably not be included in your kit, so you will have to purchase it separately.
- 3). Connect the garden timer to a faucet that is near your containers. Connect a garden hose to the faucet and the timer.
- 4). Connect a ½-inch feeder line from the hose to the beginning of your containers. Your kit will include connector pieces, a pressure regulator, backflow preventer and all other necessary components. You might need to cut the ½-inch feeder line to size with your clippers.
- 5). Punch a hole into the ½-inch feeder line with the punch that was included with your kit. Insert a straight connector piece into the hole, and insert an end cap at the end of the line. Pop your ¼-inch line onto the connector and string it through all of your container plants.
- 6). Cut the ¼-inch line with your clippers at every place where you determine an emitter is needed. Then pop the correct GPH emitter onto both sides of your cut line and position it at the base of the plant you want to water. Also, insert an end cap at the end of the line.
- 7). Program your timer to water your plants for the length of time and frequency they require.
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