Drip By Drip: Save Water, Save The Planet
Drip Irrigation Is an Efficient Way to Water
Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient ways to water your landscape. Instead of spraying water over a large area, a drip system delivers it slowly and directly where plants need it most—at the root zone.
Because water is applied directly to the soil, less can be lost to evaporation, wind, and runoff. Drip irrigation can also help keep foliage dry, which may reduce some disease problems compared with frequent overhead watering.
How Does Drip Irrigation Work?
If you have access to a water faucet, you can install a drip irrigation system in flower beds, vegetable gardens, planters, and containers. Add a timer, and you can control when your system runs and how long it waters.
The basic idea is to run larger distribution tubing through your landscape beds and connect smaller tubing or emitters that deliver water to individual plants. Different emitters provide different flow rates, allowing you to customize your system based on the plants you’re watering.
Depending on your landscape, you can also incorporate micro-sprayers, bubblers, dripline, and other watering devices into your design.
One of the great things about drip irrigation is how easily it can grow with your landscape. You can add emitters when you add new plants or adjust your setup as established plants become larger and their watering needs change.
Basic Components of a Drip Irrigation System
Your exact setup will depend on your landscape and water source, but a typical residential drip irrigation system may include:
• Water source – such as an outdoor faucet or existing irrigation connection
• Backflow prevention device – helps protect the household water supply from contamination
• Filter – helps keep small particles from clogging emitters
• Pressure regulator – reduces water pressure to a level appropriate for the drip system
• Main distribution tubing – carries water throughout the landscape
• Smaller polyethylene tubing – directs water from the main line to individual plants when needed
• Fittings & connectors – used to join tubing, create turns, close lines, and customize your system
• Emitters & other watering devices – including drippers, micro-sprayers, bubblers, and inline drip tubing
• Timer – an optional but convenient addition that allows you to automate your watering schedule
Remember to Adjust for the Weather
Even with an automatic timer, your irrigation system shouldn’t be completely “set it and forget it.” Plant needs change with the seasons, rainfall, temperatures, soil conditions, and plant size. Check the soil periodically and adjust your watering schedule as needed.
Ready to get started on your own drip irrigation system? We have the parts you need at The Home & Garden Center! Stop by and let us help you put together a system for your landscape.