What Are the Benefits of Using Drip Irrigation in My Garden?

Drip irrigation is an effective, efficient and safe method for watering your plants in the garden. In this article, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of a drip system to see which one is suitable for your landscape.

What is Drip Irrigation?

Drip irrigation systems are tubes, driplines and emitters which deliver water to the root zones of plants at a slow rate so as to not only prevent evaporation but allow it to soak deeply into the soil.

The water is required in the root zone, which means instead of sprinkling overheads need to focus on the fact that plants prefer their watering near the base line.

Plants can be watered with above ground drips, below ground drips, above ground misters and bubblers, and by seeping hoses.

Benefits of Drip Irrigation Systems

I say it is possible because water conservation and efficiency are perhaps the two biggest assets of a drip irrigation system in the landscape.

Drip irrigation systems are more water-efficient because the water losses due to evaporation are reduced as well. So, let’s find out in detail about the boon of a Drip irrigation system.

Convenient and Efficient

The main benefit of a drip irrigation system is the removal of human error in watering plants when it is programmed to work properly.

The system is allowed to turn itself on and off without any input from the homeowner. The installer or the homeowner may set the timers, and sensors around. These devices dictate when the system starts, for how long it has to run, and whenever turns off.

Prevents Wasted Resource

The use of drip systems prevents the wastage of water, a precious resource. Dripline provides water to the plant rootzone, where it needs it most. A sprinkler will lose water through evaporation on entry, just as a hose reduces evaporation over time.

Drip irrigation systems use even less water: 1 to 4gph (per hour). An Irrigation system will provide 12 to 30 gallons of water per minute.

Reduces Soil Erosion

As the drip irrigation system works under very low pressure, so less susceptible soil erosion, root exposure and water runoff will be minimum. The slow delivery provides the soil time to take in water Soil can quickly be loosened and washed away by water flowing out of a garden hose.

Reduces Leaf Diseases

One good aspect of the drip irrigation system is that it waters only at the roots, meaning water does not get on your leaves. Wet leaves also lead to the spread of disease, including fungus.

Versatile and Easy to Modify

This system can be designed in any size and shape way. This is one that can be adjusted for the needs of particular plants like shrubs, which have different requirements to water fancy perennials or lawns.

The system is also scalable so it can be extended or shortened as the landscape matures or water requirements change.

Improves Plant Productivity

By water plants the right way, you can make sure your flowers and vegetables blossom and bare fruit.

Proper soil moisture is important for seed germination as well. This automated system delivers water straight to plants, ensuring better growth and productivity. Hose watering These are all good intentions but even the hose can be a little hit and miss.

Lowers Energy Costs

With a drip irrigation system, water is pumped and delivered at very low pressure, this reduces energy use significantly. Which should reduce your energy bills, as a result.

Lowers Weed Growth

Weeds will get pushed out of the equation when water flows right to desirable plant root zones. Without water weeds will decrease.

Negatives of Drip Irrigation Systems

As with most things, there are problems in the world of drip irrigation systems. The following paragraphs discuss some of the cons for using drip irrigation in your landscape.

Expense

While drip irrigation systems are more costly to install than typical lawn sprinkler irrigation, efficiencies in water use make these systems present a reduction in prices during the initial year of use All these due to the intricacies like size of tubing, regulators, quality of water Input, pressure regulation and timers along with sensors pump distance and emitter spacing.

Clogged Emitters

You should know the quality of your water. The hardened water, salinity and high calcium concentrated water could not be used with filter in drip irrigation system. The drip emitters clog due to hard water. Do share this with the installation company.

Chemical and Weather Damage

The tubing is easily destroyed by fertilizers, weed killers or other lawn and garden chemicals. Cracking of drip tubing due to the sun Mulching the tubing will help to deter these occurrences.

Rodents Equal Leaks

Critters such as squirrels and field mice will chew through plant roots, tree bark, or your drip irrigation tubing! Meanwhile, another factor pretty common among dogs or other animals is biting on tubing when getting a drink. In any case, leaks can appear with any type of drip irrigation management.

Damage From Garden Equipment

Landscaping equipment including lawn mowers, weed whackers, and shovels can damage tubing or break emitters to create leaks in the landscape.

Tripping Hazard

If a drip irrigation system is run along the surface of the soil area, it becomes a trip hazard for humans and animals alike. Tripping can damage the tubing by causing cracks or break emitters leading to leaks.

Spacing Issues

Emitters — If the emitters are placed too close heat may crowd root development or pours too much water onto one spot.

Maintenance

The irrigation dripper system that you use needs to be maintained well if it is going to stay efficient. For example, that means regularly ensuring the filters, emitters and tubes are clear and functioning at the correct flow rate.

Drip Irrigation Systems FAQs

• Question: Do I install drip systems (for any or all of my landscape) all at one time?
• Answer: No. It can be installed in sections
• Question: What if it rains; does the drip system shut off between watering (if so, while raining)?
• Answer: If the system is equipped with a rain sensor. It simply tells the timer to pass a cycle or turn off.
• Question: Is drip irrigation system water safe to drink?
• Answer: While this probably is just clean water but I would have to pass on drinking out of this as it may be running through tubes that carry traces of chemicals. So, I suggest you NOT to drink the water.

When to call the pros

If you are like the majority of us, then it is going to be helpful for you to appoint a stoic landscaping specialist such as R & S Landscaping.

This is where the whole landscape comes into mind while dividing the plan in sections or zones for your garden by the company.

Knowing the size of the entire project helps in being able to determine specifics such as what size tubing, pump power or perhaps other facets of the system.

R & S Landscaping also assesses water pressure and makes arrangements for dripper irrigation if there is sufficient water pressure.