Our March 3, 2012, Micro-Irrigation Workshop presented by Dean Robison (center) and chaired and organized by Sharon Wright (right) proved to be popular with men and women alike.
This free seminar presented by the Quail Valley Garden Club as a free community seminar provided not only a walk through of Dean and Linda's wonderful garden, but it also gave us the hands-on knowledge of the tools, parts and possibilities micro irrigation provides not just for the garden, but for pots and hanging baskets.
As one male attendee said, "I thought I could probably do this, but there were so many parts and pieces I didn't know where to start. Today, I have the confidence to try a project and many ideas how we might use this in our garden."
If you have ever felt a prisoner to taking care of hanging baskets or pots, this opened some possibilities for taking a vacation or just having time to enjoy the garden more.
Dean is one of the few gardeners I know who can keep a Fushia hanging basket alive and thriving through a Gulf Coast summer--even a dry sizzler like last year.
The ultimate tinkerer and doer, the Robison courtyard entry displays not only pots and hanging baskets, but the re-purposed glass that Dean is making into beautiful wind chimes. The light through the glass was stunningly beautiful as was the melodies of the chimes.
It's a beautiful transition into the home and expresses their interests and hospitality to visitors.
Dean is a natural born teacher. First he walked us through the garden pointing out the various parts and possibilities for choosing micro-irrigation solutions that might work in various instances. He answered numerous questions and just showed wonderful common sense to keeping things workable, but not too hard to do.
It was amazing to me that I had been through the garden many times when the Robison's were on the Backyard Tour a couple of years ago. Yet, I had never really noticed the "how" around the irrigation system. Because color and texture draw the eye and this is so small, you just don't notice it unless it's pointed out. At least, I don't.
After our walk through, we got to the workshop part where Dean had assembled a sample of the ways you could put together a system. He also provided us with a catalog of parts as well as a periodical on the method. But seeing how it had been used made it real.
We were also provided a publication by California Landscape Architect and irrigation consultant Jess Stryker, Drip Irrigation Design Guidelines, which gives a complete overview of valves, backflow preventers, pressure regulators filters, tubing adapters, drip tubing, the many types of emitters and end caps. One of my personal favorites items was the "Goof Plug" to correct mistakes or to change your system as your garden changes.
We also received a catalog from DripWorks.com, an online supplier. This colorful catalog also had some great use type photos and applications. Both Mr. Styker's and DripWork's websites have online tutorials.
The community owes Dean a debt of gratitude for so generously sharing his time, talent and tinkering with us.
Here are some of the parts and pieces we saw at Dean's, which are, of course, also available at neighborhood home improvement stores. He rigged together some examples that were very helpful to relate to the applications seen.
Tubing & emitters Multiple-timers Tools & fittings
Timer detail Applications to containers
Please click on images to enlarge.
And the audience participation was great!
