Irrigation system for growing plants at a growing facility

A kit for a drip irrigation system, comprising:

• at least one pressure regulation device adapted to be coupled to an irrigation fluid supply source;
• at least one elongated member having an internal passage adapted to couple to the pressure regulation device;
• at least one weighted emitter having an internal passage adapted to couple to the elongated member;
• and
• a package for containing the kit for the drip irrigation system.

A method of irrigating a plurality of plants, comprising:

• providing an irrigation fluid supply source adapted to contain pressurized irrigation fluid;
• coupling an inlet portion of at least one pressure compensating device to the irrigation fluid supply source, the pressure compensating device adapted to allow flow of the irrigation fluid at a reduced pressure to an outlet portion of the pressure compensating device;
• coupling a first end of at least one elongated tubular member in fluid communication to the outlet portion of the pressure compensating device;
• coupling a second end of the elongated tubular member in fluid communication with a weighted emitter;
• and
• positioning the weighted emitter in a plant.

An indoor facility for growing plants, comprising:

• a structural enclosure having a controlled environment for growing a plurality of plants;
• an irrigation fluid supply source routed at least partially through the structural enclosure;
• at least one pressure regulating device coupled in fluid communication with the irrigation fluid supply source;
• at least one irrigation fluid delivery device having a first end coupled in fluid communication with the pressure regulating device;
• and
• a weighted emitter having an internal passage coupled to a second end of the irrigation fluid delivery device, the weighted emitter located proximate to a plant to provide a source of irrigation fluid to the plant.

An irrigation system for plants, comprising:

• means for providing a pressurized source of irrigation fluid;
• means for discharging a flow of the irrigation fluid from the source at reduced pressure;
• means for routing the reduced pressure flow of the irrigation fluid to a plant location;
• and
• means for emitting the irrigation fluid at the plant location.

An emitter for a drip irrigation system, comprising:

• a weighted, cylindrical shaped body portion;
• a passage extending at least partially through the body portion;
• at least one discharge opening in the body portion communicating with the passage;
• and
• an inlet portion on one end of the body portion having an inlet opening communicating with the passage and an integrally formed retainer portion adapted to couple with a tube.

A plant, grown using a drip irrigation process, the process comprising:

• positioning a weighted emitter in a watering relationship with the plant, the weighted emitter having a cylindrical body portion, a fluid inlet at an inlet end of the body portion, two fluid outlets, a passage through the weighted emitter connecting the inlet and the outlets, and a retention device at the inlet end adapted to receive and retain the tube;
• coupling the tube to the inlet end of the weighted emitter;
• and
• directing an irrigation fluid through the tube and the emitter to deliver a supply of irrigation fluid to the plant.