If you’re reading this post you likely have a drip irrigation system, which means I am grateful that you’ve chosen to install a very smart and efficient way to water your garden. But there are times when drip irrigation frustrates even garden designers like me—because of leaks, accidental breaks (leading to Las Vegas-worthy geysers), and random acts of sabotage (you know what I mean if you have an avid chewing-type dog).

The solution is a DIY drip irrigation emergency kit for repairs. With a few inexpensive supplies (see the list below) and new skills gleaned from reading this post, you will be able to troubleshoot most drip irrigation issues. You’ll also be able to add irrigation for a new patio container pot or garden plant:

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Gardenista.

Drip Irrigation Kit

Above: This drip irrigation kit’s components include three different flow emitters, 1/4″ connectors, metal staples, an orange poker for creating holes for new emitters, end caps, a knife for cutting tubing, and tubing.

Here’s a handy guide to each irrigation component:

Tubing

Above: A 100-foot roll of 1/4-Inch Distribution Tubing is $10.81 and a 100-foot roll of Drip Line with 6-inch spacing is $13, both from Amazon.

What is drip irrigation tubing? Tubing is the highway system for the water. As a landscaper, I always have rolls in my arsenal. Two essential sizes are 1/2-inch tubing (to use as a main line) and 1/4-inch tubing (for adding new plants to a system). I also use the 1/4-inch tubing to bring water to a newly planted container.

I use a drip line with 6-inch spacing when I need to irrigate a tree or large shrub. I find that creating a ring around the plant distributes the water to an expansive root system more effectively.

Metal Loop Stakes

Above: A pack of 20 10-inch Metal Loop Stakes is $33.99 from Amazon.

Always have a dozen metal stakes in your kit to hold down all sizes of irrigation tubing. I’ve learned that 1/2-inch tubing is notorious for heating up in warm weather and subsequently rearing its ugly head through mulch. A few staples will prevent that.

Cutting Tools

Above: Two different styles of knives. An X-acto No. 1 Precision Knife with five replacement blades (at L) is $4.71 from Amazon.

You will need a cutting tool to cut your plastic tubing to desired lengths. I prefer to use my hand pruners because they are readily available, resting in my side leather holster, but some gardeners worry that cutting plastic tubing with garden clippers they will eventually dull the blade. Your knife skills—or lack thereof—should determine your tool of choice.

Hole Punch Tool

Above: My favorite poker, called a key punch. The bright orange color means I don’t loose it in the dirt…as easily. A similar yellow Drip Irrigation Key Punch Tool is $.53 from Sprinkler Warehouse.

After you cut the desired length of 1/2-inch tubing, you need to poke a hole in the tubing to connect it to a connector or emitter. For that, you use a poker.