If you have a home garden, you’ve probably noticed the difference between conventional sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation. While sprinklers are a convenient and effective way to water your garden, they’re not the best method for preserving water and preventing runoff. Besides, watering your garden too frequently invites disease and is a waste of resources. Drip irrigation saves water by giving plants slow, steady streams of water without any overspray.
Some drip irrigation systems have built-in timers, which are set to water your plants for 10 to 15 minutes each morning and evening. Another key feature is the filter, which prevents water from clogging the holes or exceeding the pipe’s capacity. For small gardens, drip irrigation systems should operate at thirty PSI or less. When you first install your system, follow the directions on the box carefully. Make sure you follow all instructions and do not skip steps.
A drip irrigation system works well on flat land, but slopes can cause the water to flow out of the hose instead of into the garden. Soaker hoses are more economical than drip irrigation, but use more water. The difference is that drip irrigation uses up to 50 percent less water than a sprinkler system. To start your drip irrigation system, consider the soil type and size of your garden. Then, determine which type of system is best suited for your garden.
A trickle system includes a supply line, which may be a hose or polyethylene pipe. The supply line runs perpendicular to the rows of your garden, and delivers water to lateral lines. The lateral lines are 3/8 to 3/4 inch diameter and are connected to each other by a U-shaped hold-down. A punch-in drip is inserted through a hole in the main line tubing, and has adjustable flow rates.
In line emitter hoses are the simplest drip irrigation system. You can snake these hoses through a garden bed, burying them underground or placing them on the ground. To avoid running the hoses into your garden bed, you can lay mulch over them. It can also be used to water odd-shaped areas of the lawn, hanging baskets, or vines on trellis. It can also be used for growing flowers and other plants that need more water.
Another system to consider is a weed barrier. This is the most affordable and convenient option, but it doesn’t last as long as the others. However, it’s important to note that this type of system only works in lines. In fact, many gardeners have straight lines in their flower beds. Alternatively, they can be used to water vegetables or annuals. One drawback of a weed barrier is that it’s not buried and can cause flooding if there’s a heavy amount of soil on the surface.
To save time and money, you can also buy an automatic fertilizer injector for your drip irrigation system. This will water your plants and fertilize them at the same time. The best part about using drip irrigation is that it’s the most efficient method of watering. Just follow a few simple guidelines when installing your drip irrigation system. If you want to automate your home garden and drip irrigation system, there’s an app available for that.
