Do It Yourself: Drip Irrigation System
Written by Janeth Duque
Do It Yourself: Drip Irrigation System
Installing an irrigation system in your yard can help make maintenance
easier. After all, you will not have to hand set sprinklers all day and
try to remember where you have already watered. A sprinkler system,
however, is not a project for the average do-it-yourselfer. This is
because there are multiple precise calculations that need to be made, and
a great deal of special handling necessary to properly set up the
sprinklers. A drip irrigation system, on the other hand, can be set up
fairly easily by most do-it-yourselfers and conserves water to boot.
A drip irrigation system consists of a series of tubes. These tubes have
holes place in them at specific intervals, corresponding with the
placement of your plants. Most of the time, these systems are placed under
the soil, providing deep and efficient watering for the plants. These
systems promote water conservation, as there is very little evaporation,
the space between plants is not needlessly watered, and there is no wind
to carry the water away before it reaches the roots. Plus, watering deeply
means that you do not need to water your plants as often. While drip
irrigation may not be especially helpful for lawns, it can be utilized to
water some portions of the lawn. Root health is promoted by drip
irrigation systems, and this means hardier plants that are more resistant
to pests, drought, and disease.
Because they require the opening of holes along their length, drip
irrigation systems are most often installed around flowers and shrubs, and
even trees. This targeted approach to watering is more effective and more
efficient that more traditional sprinkler irrigation. Additionally, it
helps ensure that each of the landscape’s individual elements are properly
watered and cared for. A drip irrigation system is unobtrusive and can be
easily concealed so that the unsightly tubes do not mar the look of your
property.
Installing drip irrigation is relatively simple. It is possible to create
the system yourself, using hoses and making use of water available to your
home, but it is much easier to use kits. There are kits available at most
home improvement stores and warehouses that can help you better install a
drip system. Most of the time, this installation only takes one day (or
even less!). The kits come with easy to read instructions that clearly
explain all of the necessary steps. There are some tools needed for the
installation of your drip irrigation system, but they are generally tools
that are commonly found in most households.
Not only can you install a drip irrigation system, but you can also make
plant maintenance even easier by adding a timer to your system. We know
that timers can be used with more traditional sprinkler systems, but many
people are surprised that a timer can be used with a drip system. The
timers are also available at home improvement stores and can be easily
installed to go with your irrigation systems. Timers help you feel peace
of mind knowing that you will not need to try to remember to water your
plants. Additionally, they ensure that your plants will get the right
amount of water at the right time. This can be valuable in helping you
save time and money in costs associated with water usage.
It is good to note that drip irrigation systems can be used in conjunction
with “irrigation zones” in your landscape. Plants that have similar water
needs should be planted in the same area so that they can be more
efficiently targeted by watering. You can help clearly demarcate
irrigation zones by establishing separate beds for plants that need
certain amounts of water. Your plants will also be healthier, since you
will not be over watering or under watering some plants because of the
water needs of its neighbors. Also be sure to note that areas that face
south need more watering than areas located in areas with northern
exposure. When installing a drip irrigation system, you need to keep these
things in mind to ensure that your plants are best cared for by your
targeted plan. Drip irrigation is one of the best ways to make efficient
use of your water resources, and when combined with the concept of
irrigation zones can be even more efficient.
James Wood is a writer for Lawn Mowers
View their website at: http://www.calicon.biz
See Also:
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