Installing a Drip Irrigation System

You’ve probably gone through a lot of options in your mind, if you’re looking for ways to keep your garden watered without wasting also. Much money and time, maybe you’ve considered a sprinkler, a hosepipe, or a good unfashionable watering can. All of these methods might be suitable, but most of the time you will end up wasting water on plants that don’t need any more. If you live in a drought stricken area like I do, you know that every bit of water counts. I ended up getting a drip irrigation system. I haven’t regretted this decision at all.

Drip irrigation system in above grounds

When you put-in a drip irrigation system, you can select one of two varieties: above ground and below ground. The above ground version drips small amounts of water continuously onto the ground, and allows it to saturate in. It is all regulated from a pressure controller, which ensures that the water just comes out at a drip instead of a spray or a stream. These pressure regulators are very inexpensive. The whole drip system can be set up with a pressure regulator and a garden hosepipe with holes poked in it (although it is ideal for you to get a pipe designed for this type of use, I’ve found that the hose method works acceptably).

Drip irrigation system in below grounds

The underground system is a bit more of a pain to install and maintain. But if you’re really into the aesthetic aspect of your garden and don’t want any observable watering system, then you might consider it worth it. It’s essentially the same as the above ground version, only a small ditch is dug for the hose or pipe prior to any planting. This allows the water direct access to the roots for the most watering efficiency. Plus, you can impress your neighbors by having a beautiful garden without ever going outside to water it. They’ll be bemused.

To choose between the two systems, you need to take several things into account. Do you have the same plant layout year round? If it is always changing, you probably won’t want to bury your hose. It can be a pain to dig it up and re-align it with all your new plants every year or so. Even if your plant layout never changes, you need to consider how much you really mind seeing a hose in your garden. If it really bothers you to the extent that you’re willing to work for a few hours to get rid of it, then by all means bury it. But otherwise I would suggest staying above ground if for nothing else than the convenience of repairing and rearranging.

Drip irrigation system advantage

One of the main advantages of the drip irrigation system is its competence. Instead of spraying large amounts of water willy-nilly like a hosepipe does, it makes the most of your precious water by putting it precisely where it is needed. It can also provide your garden with constant watering, instead of just having to go thirsty whenever you’re not around to water it.