Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation utilizes a network of plastic tubing. Water is distributed slowly, at a low flow and pressure rate to all plants unlike basic sprinkler style irrigation systems.

A normal in-ground sprinkler system has an efficiency of between 50 and 70 percent, whereas a drip irrigation system should provide efficiencies in excess of 90 percent, providing the systems watering scheduled has been considered and programmed properly.

Plant growth is highly improved with drip irrigation because it inherently maintains a proper balance of air and water in the soil around the plants roots. With drip irrigation water is not supplied in excess quantities, it is delivered often and at low flow rates keeping the soil continually moist. Sprinkler irrigation systems have the inherent problem that produce a much more dramatic wet to dry variation in the soil and hence restrict plant growth.

Drip irrigation systems have been available to commercial growers involved in vegetables, orchards, nursery plants and greenhouses for many years. As with many products and systems originally designed for commercial use, drip irrigation has been packaged and re-engineered for residential applications. In home landscaping, drip irrigation systems provide exceptional service in vegetable, herb and flower gardens and can be readily adapted to provide watering for fruit trees and hanging baskets.

If you have or are considering adding a berm or mound to your landscaping, drip irrigation provides the most efficient method of watering. Any slope is difficult to water as large quantities of water run off prior to soaking into the ground. By using the low flow rate associated with drip irrigation, water is more likely to soak into the soil than run off.