Just Let it Drip…the Benefits of Drip Irrigation
July 7, 2010
Just Let it Drip…the Benefits of Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation (also referred to as “trickle irrigation”) is a watering method that reduces the amount of water and fertilizer used by slowly dripping water directly on the plant’s root zone. Utilization of this method with longer watering intervals, creates deeper roots and more abundant foliage. Drip irrigation also helps maintain an optimum moisture level in your soil at all times, by eliminating the normal water loss created by the sun and wind.
Modern advances in drip irrigation have made it one of the most important innovations in the world of agriculture. Easy to expand and maintain, it is the most efficient method of irrigating your plants. While traditional sprinkler systems are about 75 – 85% efficient, drip irrigation systems typically boast a 90% efficiency rate. The fact that this system uses far less water has made drip irrigation the preferred method in much of the United States.
Two primary factors are responsible for the efficiency of drip irrigation. The first is the absence of evaporation (or run-off) of the water that occurs with conventional sprinkler systems. The second is that water is only applied where it is needed – at the roots – rather than being sprayed in large arcs throughout your yard.
Drip irrigation systems are relatively forgiving of errors in design and installation and can be relatively inexpensive to incorporate into your yard. While it’s true that more thought is required up front to match a drip irrigation system to the needs of specific plantings, there are tradeoffs in lower installation and materials costs.
One of the keys to an effective drip irrigation system design is a working knowledge of the different types of emission products available which enable the designer to meet the needs of different plant material within the same area. Drip emitters are the devices that regulate the water flow from the tubing at a designated rate. There are hundreds of types of drippers used in drip irrigation, but only a few that work reliably, year-after-year.
Choosing the appropriate emission device for your system is often the most confusing choice in drip irrigation because the emitters come in many different flow rates and styles. Some are designed specifically for dense plantings, while others are better suited for sparse plantings. The plant type, soil and type of installation will determine which emitters to use in your drip irrigation system to meet different water intake requirements in the same irrigation zone, using the same run time. A trained landscape professional can guide you in selecting the correct emitters for your drip irrigation system.
Particularly effective when watering your shrubs, drip irrigation has also been credited with reducing disease problems sometimes created by high levels of moisture on some plants. By watering only the plant’s roots zone, drip irrigation systems cut down on water-borne pests and fungal diseases that are spread by water movement, as well as the germination of weeds in the area between your plants.
Consult a local landscape professional for more information regarding drip irrigation systems and how they can benefit you.
Richard Gilliland works with GreenMark Landscaping in Orlando and provides expert advice on Drip irrigation and drip irrigation supplies
In this video Patti Moreno installs drip irrigation with Leon from DripWorks USA in her main raised bed garden. Drip irrigation is one of the most important break throughs in agriculture of the last forty years. Visit: www.dripworksusa.com http
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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I looked into buying one of those hoses that sweats. It had a label on it that said it contains lead, should I be concerned? Is it an irrelivant amount of lead? Maybe its big agriculture trying to deter people from gardening?
she reminds me of oprah, wish i could afford a drip system
Am I losing my mind?! I swear I saw this and most of your recently posted videos already! Did you delete and repost them or something? I’m really confused… lol.
Thanks a lot for posting this video! I didn’t know how easy this could be and I based my setup off of this and posted a video today of my setup. Thanks again. Your video’s rock!
@PCOStherealdeal All 3 types of timers that you asked about are available. Dripworks has both battery timers and electric timers. We used to carry a solar timer, but it just wasn’t selling so we had to discontinue it.
That is just an insane amount of raised beds Patti! I want those paving blocks between the beds. Very cool!
I enjoyed watching it from the start to the end, very informative and nice nice background music, by the way.
Learnt a lot in just 8:18 minutes. Thank you.
Wow, what a great project. How many days did it take to finish?
great info..thanks
one question… does the timer need to be plugged into an outlet? it does it run off battery’s? Could it be solar?
Wow! Thank you very much! Love your videos =)
Next month Patti will have another drip video from Dripworks
Excellent video as always!
Garden season is fast approaching and this is sure to be abig help.
Thank you! Love your videos : )
Fantastic video! Thank you!
@DripWorks – Cool! Thanks!!!
For every 2.3 feet of elevation you gain 1 pound of pressure. Page 12 of the new (free) Dripworks catalog talks a little bit about low pressure systems.
@skeletonmom This is great! thanks!
@jihadacadien – I just took an organic gardening class and they mentioned that it can be done if you sit your rainbarrel up about 3 feet or so and have the dripline run from the bottom out to the garden. Doing it that way provides the pressure needed to move the water. But, it also depends on how long your drip line is, too.
Great idea. You are a great presenter Patty. Always very clear. You should have your own tv show.
Great video as always! Would be nice if a system like that could work with rain water. I suppose with a pump.?
Do chemicals leech from the plastic and in to the water that is watering the plants?
I know it happens in a lot, but not all plastics.
?????
Must have more new videos…. Can’t wait for better weather for you!
wow! I’m glad I waited to install my drip system! this really helps!