Irrigation

Home, or drip irrigation could appear wasteful, but it is actually less so than conventional watering. The average oscillating sprinkler loses almost as much of its moisture to the atmosphere as goes to water the garden. The droplets it shoots high into the air begin to evaporate before reaching the plant. Water evaporates from the foliage before it sinks into the ground, especially in sunny or windy weather.

Typically, also, a homeowner sets up a sprinkler and does not come back to turn it off until the ground is so saturated that water is running into the street. Additionally, because movable sprinklers are hard to adjust to the actual shapes of individual growing areas, water is wasted over patios and walkways.

High pressure sprinkler irrigation, such as drip irrigation, supplies water in a much more efficient manner, and is overall more effective.

Is Irrigation Necessary?

If most summers in your area are relatively rainy, and you water only a few times in the average year, then one dry summer should not be the deciding factor whether to get an irrigation system or not.

Of course, even in moist-summer climate, a few spots such as under roof overhangs, do require constant attention. If you have such places, consider a system for just those areas, rather than an all-encompassing one for the entire yard. A simple soaker hose, easily hidden using bagged bark mulch in landscaping and turned on manually, will only cost a few dollars yet will easily take care of an exceptionally dry bed in an otherwise humid climate.

Otherwise, drip irrigation supplies more water than many residential lawns need, (becuase they are so efficient) and may not be needed if you actually enjoy hand watering and are generally available during the growing season.

• Irrigation history
• Irrigation system
• Sprinkler
• Micro irrigation
• Sprinkler System Vs Micro irrigation system