If you\u2019re ready to say a fond farewell to your water-hungry sprinkler system, drip irrigation may be the white knight of your watering woes. But what is drip irrigation? Drip irrigation delivers small, targeted amounts of water directly to the roots of your plants. This means very high water efficiency and almost no evaporation. <\/p>
Let\u2019s learn more about what drip irrigation is, including the pros, cons, and the easiest way to get started.<\/p>
Drip irrigation delivers water drop by drop around the plant root zone. A hose with small holes or emitters meters out the water slowly and directly to the plant\u2019s roots, which means maximum water efficiency. Drip irrigation is used in settings that range from small home gardens, raised beds, and ornamental beds to large commercial agricultural applications.<\/p>
Two major advantages of drip irrigation for home gardeners are that it saves water (up to 50%<\/a>) and can be automated, so it saves time as well.<\/p> Drip irrigation is known by a few other names:<\/p> Drip irrigation systems are either low-pressure or high-pressure<\/a> systems. Stuck with low water flow? No problem. Water sources for drip irrigation systems are varied. You can use a well, outdoor faucet, or rain barrel and have plenty of water pressure to run the system.<\/p> Another practical advantage of using a low-flow system is that no clamps or glue is required. This means fewer components and that the system is easier to adjust as your garden grows.<\/p> There are many different types of drip irrigation systems to choose from. You may need to use several different types in different areas of your garden. <\/p> Pro Tip: <\/strong>Cover your drip lines with mulch<\/a> for even greater water savings. <\/p> Use polyethylene tubing (poly tubing, for short) to attach micro sprayers, \u00bc\u201d or \u215b\u201d line, emitters, sprayers, and risers. Grab a punch tool to customize the emitter spacing to your needs.<\/p> A soaker hose \u201cbleeds\u201d water from its pores. The upside is that you never have to worry about spacing emitters around individual plants. The downside is that these hoses can be brittle and may need to be replaced often.<\/p> Drip tape comes with slits already in the tape, so choose the spacing that works for you. These lines are best used for row crops in the ground or raised beds.<\/p> Farm fact:<\/strong> Large farming operations can use drip irrigation as well. However, in these cases, the tubing is installed far below the soil surface (subsurface) so that farmers can continue to till without damaging the line.<\/p> If you\u2019ve never installed a watering system before, the new vocabulary can be overwhelming. <\/p> Here are a few terms you\u2019ll need to know to get started:<\/p> If you read that list and thought, \u201cI just want to water my plants,\u201d start with a drip irrigation kit. You can buy them anywhere, and they have all the components you need in one box.<\/p> Consider these advantages and disadvantages before you set up your drip irrigation system.<\/p> \u2713 Greatly reduces evaporation \u2717 A small investment to get started (most residential\u00a0drip irrigation systems cost<\/a>\u00a0$295 to $775<\/strong>) If you\u2019re busy setting up your new drip lines to the garden, let one of our <\/em>local lawn care pros<\/em><\/a> mow, edge, and take care of your lawn.<\/em><\/p> Types of drip irrigation systems<\/span><\/h2>
Poly tubing<\/span><\/h3>
Soaker hose<\/span><\/h3>
Drip tape<\/span><\/h3>
Equipment for a drip irrigation system<\/span><\/h2>
Pros and cons of drip irrigation<\/span><\/h2>
Pros<\/span><\/h3>
\u2713 Leaves stay dry
\u2713 Less chance of foliar or fungal disease
\u2713 No water waste \u2014 saves money!
\u2713 No erosion, no runoff
\u2713 Less weed growth
\u2713 Consistent watering means healthier plants
\u2713 Set it and forget it: Use a timer to automate your watering
\u2713 No more heavy watering cans or time spent at the faucet
\u2713 Apply fertilizer, compost tea, fish emulsion, or pesticides via the drip irrigation system
\u2713 Little to no fertilizer leaching
\u2713 Increased yield and quality in some plants
\u2713 Some drip systems suitable for curved or oddly shaped gardens<\/p> Cons<\/span><\/h3>
\u2717 Susceptible to leaking or clogging with dirt or debris
\u2717 Hoses must be replaced every few years
\u2717 Should be flushed regularly, and more often during the warmer months
\u2717 Can be damaged by insects, rodents, or tools<\/p>