'Popping' a taut rope against the soil surface to mark the centerline of a bed

Use the centerline as a guide for the emitter line placement.

Placing Emitter Lines
Emitter lines may be buried in the beds or placed on the surface, depending on if plastic mulch is used. For best results using plastic mulch, the emitter lines should be buried. Their presence on the soil surface prevents the film from hugging the surface tightly, a condition necessary for rapid and efficient warming of the beds. On unmulched beds, emitter lines may be buried or left on the surface.

Locate emitter line to best accommodate planting configuration. Plan on spacing emitter lines 12 inches apart (6 inches from centerline) when planting one, two or three rows on 40-inch beds. Examples of crops planted on one, two and three rows per bed include tomato, pepper and strawberry, respectively. Plan on spacing emitter lines 18 inches apart (9 inches from centerline) when planting four or more rows per bed. Examples of crops planted four, six and eight rows per bed include lettuce, spinach and carrot, respectively. Refer to Tables 2-A and 2-B for emitter line placement based on planting (row) configuration.

Regardless of how or where emitter lines are spaced, it is critical they be kept straight. Knowing the exact location of emitter lines is possible only if the lines are installed in a straight, precise manner. This will help to avoid damaging buried lines when planting or cultivating. For surface application, use landscape staples or mound soil over the emitter lines at strategic locations to keep them straight.

In cold weather, hard hose emitter tubing can be difficult to work with. To increase flexibility, warm the tubing by exposing it to sunshine.

The easiest method of burying hard hose emitter line is to press the tubing into the soil with your hands. Press the tubing into the soil at least 1 inch. You'll need to dig a trench to bury thin-walled drip tape or if you plan on burying hard hose deeper than 2 inches.

Be sure the soil profile has been shaped and the soil is in a loose, easy-to-crumble condition prior to pressing the tube into place. Once the lines have been installed, go ahead and firm the soil surface in preparation for mulch application.

Installing emitter lines on the surface of unmulched beds has one advantage: if laid out in a straight line, the tubing can be used as a planting guide. Push planters directed alongside emitter lines will insure straight rows of crops. Uniformly spaced drippers permit emitter line to substitute for a measuring tape, providing uniform placement of transplants. Be sure to firm soil prior to surface application of emitter lines.

To prevent the plugging of drippers by foreign material that might have entered the system during installation, be sure and flush emitter lines prior to closing the ends. It's also a good idea to flush mains and header lines prior to attaching emitter lines.

To extend the life of your system, remove the head unit and store out of the elements during cold weather. The emitter lines can be rolled up and stored or left in the beds. If left in place, protect the tubing from sunlight degradation by covering with soil.

To prevent pipes and tubing from bursting during the winter, expel excess water from the system. On small systems, blow water out using your mouth. On larger systems, use a compressed air tank equipped with a hose fitting.

Table 2-A Emitter Line Placement (1-3 crop rows per bed)

Table 2-B Emitter Line Placement (4-8 crop rows per bed)