Installing a sprinkler or irrigation system in your yard can help make maintenance easier. Adding a timer and electric control valves to the irrigation design makes the system run automatically, it also means you don’t need to drag hoses around to get the landscape watered.

A sprinkler system installation project however, is not for the average do-it-yourselfer. Precise calculations need to be made on pipe size for the selected sprinkler head, setting up zones and sprinkler spacing. All need for an efficient irrigation system. Installing a system called drip irrigation which runs on low pressure, on the other hand, can be set up fairly easily by most do-it-yourselfers and conserves water as a bonus.

The Basic Set-Up
A drip system consists of a series of tubes with holes placed in the tubes at specific intervals, corresponding with the placement of your plants. Commercially in a tree nursery drip irrigation is above ground, but these systems can also be placed under the soil, delivering deep and efficient watering for the plants. These low pressure watering systems promote water conservation, because of very little evaporation.

The space between plants is not watered, and wind cannot carry the water away before reaching the roots. Plus, watering deeply means you don’t need to water plants as often. While drip irrigation installations may not be especially helpful for lawns, it can be utilized to water some areas of a lawn. Drip watering systems helps promote root health, this means hardier plants more resistant to pests, drought, and disease.

Because the drip tube requires the opening of holes along the pipe, drip systems are often installed around flowers and shrubs, and even trees. This targeting of water delivery is more effective and efficient than the more traditional sprinkler irrigation.

A drip watering system is unobtrusive and can be easily hidden so unsightly tubes do not detract from the look of your property. Additionally, it helps ensure that each of the landscape area and individual elements are properly watered and cared for.

Drip Watering Kits

Installing drip irrigation is relatively simple with complete kits now available at most home improvement stores. It’s possible to create the system yourself, using hoses and taking advantage of water available at your home, but drip kits make design and installation much easier. Most installations only take a one day (or even less!). The drip kits come with easy to read instructions clearly explaining all of the necessary steps. Installation tools come with kits, but generally these are tools commonly found in most households.

Drip system Controls

Not only can you install the drip irrigation, but you can also make landscape plant maintenance even easier with automating the system by adding a timer. Timers connected to electric control valves have long been used with traditional sprinkler systems. Adding automation to a drip watering design is no different. The timers are also available at home improvement stores and can be easily installed with your drip system. Timers give peace of mind knowing you will not need to mark your calendar to try to remember to water your plants. The times also helps ensure that plants will get the right amount of water at the right time. With water use becoming more and more of an issue, drip irrigation can be valuable in helping you save time and money with associated with water usage.

To take the automatic watering a bit further, drip systems with times can also include irrigation zones in the landscape. Plants with similar water needs planted in the same area can efficiently be targeted by watering. You can clearly setup irrigation zones by establishing separate beds for plants needing certain amounts of water. The end result is healthier plants, since you won’t be over watering or under watering plants. Areas facing south may need more watering than areas with northern exposure.

Drip irrigation is one of the best ways and systems to make efficient use of water resources, and when combined with a timer and irrigation zones can be even more efficient.