Richard Gilliland works with GreenMark Landscaping in Orlando and provides expert advice on Drip irrigation and drip irrigation supplies
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.
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