Albuquerque Drip Irrigation Tips by R & S Landscaping

Albuquerque drip irrigation systems are installed by both homeowners and by professional landscaping companies. Before you begin installing a drip irrigation system at your Albuquerque home, allow the drip irrigation tubing for your system to lay out in the sun for a bit to warm it up.

If you choose to remove any emitters from the tubing system after you have installed it, you can use a small plastic plugs for the holes, also known as “goof plugs”

Planting near a low hedge or other type of barrier will reduce wind, which inturn cuts down evaporation and ultimately the need to water as frequently

Be careful to not overwater. For plants with moderate water demands, 1” per week is enough. Using a one gph emitter will drop this amount in approximately one hour. You should not have puddling near the emitters. Warmer regions usually need about 2” per week of rainfall. It is better to water thoroughly, but infrequently.  

You can check on your drip irrigation system by sticking a pencil or pointed stick into the ground midway between the emitters to detect if water is seeping. When the earth is wet, the pencil/stick will easily slip into the dirt. Adding or moving emitters is simple to do, as needed.

Above ground drip irrigation systems have a tendency to clog less frequently than in ground systems, and are effortless to move when gardening. By laying a layer of mulch over the ground, you can hide the irrigation tubes, and lessen evaporation. For a buried system you will want to map out a plan before digging trenches. Once the tubing is in place, leave the trenches uncovered, and test the system.

In colder regions, irrigation systems need to be drained at the end of the growing season. This simply requires unplugging the stoppers, or unfolding crimped ends. This helps prevent breaking or cracking due to freezing temperatures. By tying a piece of plastic or cloth over the open line ends, you can keep them free of insects and debris. Filters, pressure reducers and timers should be stored indoors during the winter.

For raised bed gardens, use “tees” and “elbows” in order to drive lines up and into the elevated frame.

For more drip irrigation tips or to discuss a quote for a drip irrigation system for your Albuquerque home, contact us here at R & S Landscaping, Inc., by calling 505-271-8419.