homestead.fyi / GRAVITYDRIP

Gravity Drip System

A 55 gal barrel on a 36 in stand with a spigot, a filter and 100 ft of drip line, for a pump-free garden.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
55 galBarrel
36 in, about 1.3 psiHead
100 ftLine
3 to 4 hrBuild time
~$226.75Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 93 in 71 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 28 in 71 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 93 in 28 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x4 PT28Rail fronton edge, screwed through the legs
12x4 PT28Rail backon edge, screwed through the legs
12x4 PT25Rail lefton edge, screwed through the legs
12x4 PT25Rail righton edge, screwed through the legs
22x4 PT25Crosson edge, between the rails
44x4 PT31 3/4Leg

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Top3/4 ply28 x 28

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x4 PT x 8 ft
Rail front 28Rail back 28Rail left 25
2x4 PT x 8 ft
Rail right 25Cross 1 25Cross 2 25
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Leg 1 31 3/4Leg 2 31 3/4Leg 3 31 3/4
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Leg 4 31 3/4

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Top28 x 28

Shopping list $211.75 checked / $15.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot2$4.68$9.36see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot2$11.28$22.56see lumber cutting diagram
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$46.57$46.57see sheet cutting diagrams
55 gal food-grade barrel, usedSD Drums or local1$39.00$39.00
3/4 in bulkhead spigot and barrel fittingsHome Depot1$15.00$15.00
Drip control kit: filter and pressure regulatorSprinkler Supply Store1$29.84$29.84
1/2 in drip tubing, 100 ftHome Depot1$14.57$14.57100 ft
Drip emitters 2 GPH, 50 pack (Raindrip)Lowe's1$19.88$19.88
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot1$29.97$29.97
Total before tax~$226.75
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Cut four 4x4 legs to 31 3/4 in and the rails from 2x4s. Screw the rails round the tops of the legs, with the top of the frame flush with the leg tops.
  2. Screw the two cross-bars in and the plywood top on every 6 in.
  3. Set the stand on a level pad of 4 in gravel or pavers beside the garden, in the shade, with the barrel up-slope of the bed if you can.
  4. Fit a 3/4 in bulkhead spigot 3 in from the barrel bottom, a screen over the top, and an overflow. Connect a filter and the header to the spigot.
  5. Run 1/2 in drip line along each row, with emitters at the plants. Open the spigot: the barrel waters about 100 ft of row in 4 to 6 hr.

Before you start