Keep Drip Lines in Place with 16 mm Drip Pipe Stakes and U-Pins
A drip system only works when each emitter sits next to the plant it waters. Drip lines move in the heat, jump when the pump starts and get pulled around during weeding, so they need to be fixed in place. This guide shows how to choose and use drip line stakes: our 16 mm plastic drip pipe stakes and galvanized U-pins, where each works best, and how to use them together with weed mat.
Why drip lines move
- Heat: pipe lying in the sun expands and starts to snake across the bed.
- Coil memory: pipe off a roll tries to curl back up.
- Water pressure: lines can jump or shift when the pump switches on.
- Work in the field: weeding, harvesting and foot traffic pull lines out of position.
For the problems this causes and a detailed fix, see stop drip pipes shifting.
Plastic stakes or galvanized U-pins?
| Plastic drip pipe stakes | Galvanized U-pins | |
|---|---|---|
| How they hold | A built-in C-clip grips the pipe on a ground stake | The U shape straddles the pipe and pins it to the soil |
| Pipe size | 16 mm outside diameter | 16 mm pipe; also weed mat and ground cover |
| Size | About 6 inch long, 1 inch wide | About 6 inch long, 1.5 inch wide |
| Material | Blue plastic, easy to spot | Galvanized steel, rust resistant |
| Best for | Open rows, beds, pots and polyhouses where only pipe needs holding | Holding pipe flat, often together with weed mat at joins |
Check your pipe first: both are made for 16 mm outside-diameter lateral pipe. Both are reusable and come in packs of 100 to 1000.
How to fix drip lines, step by step
- Lay the line along the row with emitters next to the plants.
- Let it settle in the sun for a short while so it straightens before you fix it.
- Fix the ends first, then add a stake or U-pin every 1 to 2 m.
- Add one at every bend and near each end cap.
- Run the system and check that every emitter drips where it should. Move any stake that pulls an emitter away from a plant.
Using drip lines under weed mat
Lay and fix the drip line first, test it, then roll weed mat over it and cut holes at each emitter. The mat holds moisture in, stops weeds growing in the wet strip, and water still soaks through. Use galvanized U-pins to pin pipe and mat together at joins and edges where the line runs. Our step-by-step weed mat guide and strawberry and vegetable bed setup show the full method.
Which to use where
| Setup | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Open vegetable rows | Plastic stakes every 1 to 2 m |
| Raised beds without mat | Plastic stakes; see laying drip on raised beds |
| Beds covered with weed mat | Plastic stakes under the mat, U-pins at mat joins over the line |
| Grow bags and pots | Plastic stakes beside each row of bags |
| Orchard rows | Plastic stakes on open rows; U-pins where mat is laid |
| Polyhouse beds | Plastic stakes; see our polyhouse floor setup |
How many do you need?
Total lateral length divided by spacing, plus one at each end and bend. For example, 10 beds of 20 m with one lateral each is 200 m; at 1.5 m spacing that is about 135 stakes plus ends, so a pack of 200. For an acre with rows 1.5 m apart, plan on about 1,800 stakes. For large farms, ask for a bulk quote.
Maintenance
- Walk lines after weeding and harvest and re-clip any that were moved.
- Lift the pipe out of the C-clip when you need to flush or repair it, then press it back.
- At season end, pull stakes and pins, clean and store them for reuse.
Shop drip pipe stakes → Shop U-pins →
Frequently asked questions
What are drip line stakes used for?
They hold 16 mm drip laterals in place so emitters stay next to the plants and lines do not move in heat, under pressure or during field work.
Should I use plastic drip stakes or galvanized U-pins?
Use plastic stakes when you only need to hold pipe. Use galvanized U-pins where the line runs under or beside weed mat, since they pin pipe and fabric together.
How far apart should drip stakes be?
Every 1 to 2 m, plus one near each end and at every bend.
Do these fit my drip pipe?
Both fit 16 mm outside-diameter lateral pipe. Check your pipe size before ordering.
Can I lay drip line under weed mat?
Yes. Lay, fix and test the drip line first, then roll the weed mat over it and cut holes at each emitter.
Are drip stakes and U-pins reusable?
Yes. Both can be pulled out, cleaned and reused every season.
