Gizzard, a bunch of questions come to mind in your post. How strong is that generator? How high can you raise that tank? How far does the water have to go to reach the field?

Some quick thoughts, most drip systems operate very well at pressures between 15 and 30 p.s.i. With a gravity feed system, the higher you get that tank, the simpler the pressure issues become. I would think that you should start thinking about the equation that .433 p.s.i. is gained for every foot of elevation. Thus, a 20 foot tank source is gonna give you 8.33 p.s.i. Actually, a system using non-pressure compensating emitters could use a pressure that low and still function.

In terms of a pump, you will need to think of how far you r lift is, and the time frame you have to refill your tank. I would think you need to make a shallow well, with a pump sump at the creek to source water from it. These can work well, a self-priming pump may save you a ton of effort.

There must be more...

With a garden that size I'd probably opt for flood irrigation over drip. With a tractor you can easily set up raised rows. If you use your tank connected to a set of header pipes with correctly sized nozzles you should be able to get equal flow using 1 to 1 1/2 inch PVC header pipes. It's like drip irrigation on steriods. However, because of the low pressure you may have to put in multiple vavles to keep enough pressure to get equal flow out of each nozzle.

Your plan should work; I've done it except for filling the tank from a well source.

A few considerations or concerns that you will need to address:
1. You'll need to filter the water. Sediment in the lines can block your drip lines and create a mess. I wouldn't let water set in your tank for extended periods either or you will algae growth which can be worse than sediment. You may even want to treat the water with an algaecide.

2. Purchase the drip tape connectors with shutoffs, preferably thumb turned. You will need to only open 5-6 lines at any one watering to keep your pressure up.

3. Purchase t-tape that has a lower to moderatte GPH drip rate. That will help to keep line pressure up and even watering throughout the row. Ironically what happens is that the far ends of the row will get the most water. 150' length rows are borderline; They should be fairly level terrain for the lower pressure you'll have.

I envision that you will have a flexable line coming from the tank to a header line (1 1/4"- 1 1/2" layflat tubing,etc.) and then have around 30-35 t-tape lines coming from it, one for each plant row. A single roll (4000') of t-tape should suffice. By opening 5 lines per night you would be on a weekly warering rotation, barely adequate for dryer weather.

One way to help conserve the water that you deposit is to have the drip tape under plastic mulch. A combination drip tape/ mulch layer might be a primary equipment consideration once you purchase the tractor.

WOW..THANKS GUYS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS MY GENERATOR IS THE LARGEST LOWES SELLS SO THATS NOT A PROBLEM.. SECOND THE TERRAIN IS VERY FLAT.. THIRD I WILL HAVE TO BUILD A STAND FOR MY TANK SO I WOULDNT THINK HEIGHT WILL BE A PROBLEM. THE TANK WILL BE PLACED AT THE SOUTH END OF THE GARDEN AT THE END OF THE ROWS MID WAY. FILLING THE TANK SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM AS THE GARDEN IS NO MORE THAN 4 FEET ABOVE WATER LEVEL THANKS TO INDUSTRIOUS BEAVERS. MACHESKE THANKS THAT IS KINDA WHAT I HAD IN MIND.. BMOSER THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN WHAT IS A GOOD SOURCE FOR T DRIP TAPE? ALSO ONE MORE QUESTION WHAT ARE LOW PRESSURE EMMITTERS AND WHERE WOULD AN OLD COUNTRY BOY FIND THEM.. THANK YOU ALL

There are many different types of emitters for use in different pressure applications. Originally, all emitters were low pressure, but, for those of us in urban settings, they required a lot of pressure regulation. Agricultural applications still use the lower pressure emitters as often, over larger fields, pressure can be an issue. I would look into if you have an agricultural supply house nearby, they should have a lot of drip stuff available that would work for you. And, of course, there is always the internet.

To give you an idea of supplies available and a possible order source you can check out the robertmarvel website and check out the irrigation fittings. Most of these plastic fittings and the t-tape are fairly inexpensive. the Queen Gil tape is somewhat of the cadilac of drip tapes. I would go with one of these driptapes rather than messing with placing emitters at each plant but the choice is yours.

Landarc has a good suggestion that you check out local suppliers. the fittings are cheap to ship but freight on the heavier items can be expensive.

I agree that if you're going to go with drip irrigation, use T tape for such a large area. Setting up emitters, etc for that big of an area would take a long time. I'm just concerned about having enough pressure with the T tape. I would probably do all the pressure calculations before committing to T tape over flood irrigation.
Rick

Flood irrigation would be much, much simpler.
Or what about overhead irrigation? If water supply is not a problem an electric pump that can supply 35-40 psi would be plenty for a garden of this size. About 6-7 sprinkler heads would be all you need to cover that area. And it can be used for frost protection as well. You would not need a tank either.
Just a thought,
Tom

THis was something i researched a couple years ago, i wanted to establish native plantings along my 900-foot access drive, way beyond the capability of my domestic water pump, so i thought about setting up elevated 50-gal drums with drip tubing, which could collect rain or be filled every few days .

I don't have any of those links, but i just did a search at google for "gravity feed irrigation" and got tons of info. I'm guessing you've done the same thing, so maybe try the 'irrigation " forum here at gardenweb for someone who has actually done it.

Thanks a million yall...everyone have a Merry Christmas

Gizzardfarm,

Going from 100X150ft. to 200X300ft. is 4 times the size, not double the size. But heck, if you can handle that much more work, go for it!

HUMMMMM. 2X100=200 AND 150X2=300 AND 2 = TWICE... I GUESS MY TENNESSEE LEARNIN AINT UP TO SNUFF.. JUST JOKIN....