Questions about automatic irrigation: This year, I set up wooden-framed raised beds (each 3 x 1.2 x approx. 0.3 m) using the “no-dig” method with compost (photo is not current). I also have additional garlic and strawberry beds (1.5 x 1.2 m) as well as fruit trees and shrubs. In addition, I’ve connected three 1,000-liter IBC tanks for rainwater collection and equipped them with a pump. I plan to expand over the years and build more and more large beds. With the drought and high temperatures (we had a whopping 41°C in Vienna today!!), I came up with the idea of a durable, low-maintenance, reliable, and labor-saving irrigation solution. At first, I considered soaker hoses, but I quickly dismissed the idea because I don’t want products made from old tires—with all the harmful substances they contain—in my garden beds. That’s how I ended up with drip irrigation. Currently, for the raised beds, I’m leaning toward 4 parallel rows spaced 30 cm apart, with 30 cm between drippers in 16 mm tubing at a flow rate of about 2 l/h. Header and footer (manifold made of flexible pipe, T-fittings, and elbows at the beginning and end) and a ball valve so I can shut off each bed individually. I had planned to run the supply line underground using 25-mm PE HD pipe and T-fittings to reduce the diameter to 16 mm at each bed. I would then run this up from the corner of each bed and connect it to the header at the surface using a ball valve. I would then mulch with grass clippings, straw, etc., just as I have been doing so far, but this time over the pipes. I tried to have the AI generate an image to help visualize this, but unfortunately it has many small errors; still, I think it helps with understanding. The idea is to simply lift all these “mats” during the annual “no-dig” application of 5 cm of compost so that they’re back on top. I also briefly considered burying the drip tubes right away, but root-resistant tubes are significantly more expensive, and then I wouldn’t know exactly where they are—I’d have to be careful when planting and wouldn’t be able to spot leaks as easily. For the trees and shrubs, I’d lay a second irrigation loop with 25mm PE pipe and branch off tree rings (T-pieces connected in a circle) at the tree pits, but that’s still a low priority for now. Has anyone already set up something like this? Does it work the way I imagine it would? Is there room for improvement or simplification? It kind of feels a bit like “overengineering.” How do you automatically water your flower beds, trees, and shrubs? What products do you use, and how satisfied are you with them? I’m currently leaning toward the Rainbird XFD for the tubing—does anyone have experience with it? #irrigation #needed