Why?

Sometimes there isn't enough room under an outdoor faucet for all the required drip irrigation parts such as the anti-syphon, timer, pressure regulator, filter and swivel adaptor.

The best solution is to make a standpipe of the right size and then use a length of garden hose or 1/2" Tubing from the faucet to the standpipe. Hang all the drip irrigation parts on the standpipe instead of on the faucet. Takes the weight and strain off the house faucet too.

Greenhouse

Standpipes are especially helpful in the greenhouse and the garden where it's convenient to have the timer close to the drip irrigation circuit it's controlling. Cut a very narrow shallow trench across the lawn for the garden hose that supplies water to the standpipe so that the hose does not get nicked by the mower.

Cut the trench under the wall of the greenhouse so that the standpipe will be inside. Place the garden hose in the trench uncovered or put the cut sod back to hide it completely. Just remember that you have to drain the hose completely for winter.

The parts

Refer to the photos for the names of all the parts. Print out this article and take it to your local plumbing shop. They will have all the parts in stock. They may even be able to glue all the parts together to save you that chore.

The vertical 3/4" pipe can be of any reasonable length from 24" to over 36". Make it whatever length fits your needs best. We often add another faucet at the top of the standpipe to fill a bucket without disturbing the drip irrigation setup. Your plumbing shop can supply those extra parts easily.

You could use galvanized pipe and fittings but the cost will be greater and the service life won't be longer unless the pipe undergoes a lot of abuse.

Fasten

Drive a 2" x 1" survey stake, 3 or 4 feet long, into the ground to hold the standpipe vertical for the summer. Attach the standpipe to the stake with long plastic wire ties or something similar.

Or attach the standpipe to a fence post or shed wall or anything else handy. Fasten a garden hose to the lower threads and your drip irrigation parts to the faucet and you're ready for summer.

In the Autumn, drain the entire circuit and either leave the standpipe in place for the winter, or take it indoors. As long as all the water is drained, frost will not harm the standpipe.