Drip Installation Workshop for Native Plants at Roberto Adobe & Sunol House

Learn and help install a drip system to water over 150 locally native plants and international plants at the historic museum in San Jose!
About this Event

Join us for an exciting, hands-on community volunteer event where we will install a brand-new drip irrigation system for over 150 stunning locally native plants and international botany! Whether you are a beginner looking to build your own DIY drip system or a gardening enthusiast, this event offers the perfect opportunity to learn from the best. Get expert advice directly from UC Master Gardeners, gain practical landscaping skills, and enjoy a private historic tour of the museum grounds with light refreshments as a thank you for your hard work. Let’s roll up our sleeves and grow a more green and sustainable San Jose together!

Workshop & Volunteer Schedule

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome, Name Tags & Supplies

• Park in the museum parking lot behind the museum or along Lincoln Avenue.
• Arrive at the museum courtyard to sign in and make a name tag.
• Collect material: gloves, hori hori, and knee pads.

10:00 AM – 10:05 AM | Host Introductions & Expert Briefing

• Meet the co-hosts and advisors for the event.
• Introduction about CPSCC and UC Master Gardener organizations.

10:05 AM – 10:30 AM | DIY Drip Irrigation Demonstration

Learn how to build a highly efficient irrigation framework with these 15 essential steps:

1. Unroll tubing in the sun to soften the plastic and make it flexible.
2. Connect a backflow preventer to the main spigot to protect drinking water.
3. Attach a pressure regulator to drop household water pressure down to 25 PSI.
4. Screw on a 150-mesh filter to prevent dirt from clogging small emitters.
5. Insert a swivel adapter to connect your 1/2-inch main line to the filter.
6. Lay the 1/2-inch mainline tubing smoothly along your primary plant rows.
7. Secure tubing flat to the soil using steel landscape staples every 3 feet.
8. Use a specialized punch tool to poke clean holes into the mainline.
9. Push dual-barbed connector fittings firmly straight into the punched holes.
10. Attach 1/4-inch vinyl distribution lines directly onto the barbed connectors.
11. Route the 1/4-inch line straight to the root zone of the target plant.
12. Push pressure-compensating emitters into the ends of the 1/4-inch lines.
13. Flush the system with water before sealing the ends to clear debris.
14. Seal the line terminations using a figure-8 end closure fitting.
15. Bury exposed layout lines under 3 inches of mulch to protect from UV rays.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Hands-On Installation & Ground Setup

• Break out into teams or independently install the main lines across the 150 botanical assets.
• Active guidance and troubleshooting support provided by advisors.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Historic Museum Tour & Refreshments

• Enjoy complimentary light refreshments, snacks, and socializing with fellow volunteers.
• Celebrate with a free tour of the historic museum. The Roberto Adobe is the second oldest adobe residence in the Santa Clara County, built in 1836, and the Sunol House is the oldest brick residence in Alta California, built in 1847.