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If you’ve never heard of drip irrigation, you may be wondering why everyone is talking about it. And if you are passionate about saving our earth’s essential natural resources (like water), this is a must-know strategy for irrigating your landscape and conserving water.
These systems are an efficient and cost-effective way to water gardens and other outdoor spaces. It has been used for decades in agricultural settings and is growing in popularity among home gardeners.
This post will introduce you to drip irrigation and its benefits, as well as advice on how to set up a system on your property. We will also talk about some of the downsides, giving you an honest look at whether it’s right for you.
What is Drip Irrigation?
Drip irrigation is an irrigation tactic that involves dripping low amounts of water into the desired area through hoses with holes, or through a system of plastic tubes fitted with outlets called emitters or drippers. These types of irrigation systems aren’t for turfgrass or your typical lawn, but for your bushes, flowers, shrubs, and your beds. It takes care of a problem that you don’t think about too often: your flowerbed’s irrigation.
Drip irrigation is an efficient and cost-effective method of watering plants. These systems are often designed with filtration options that help to ensure that only clean water reaches the plant’s roots.
The benefits include increased plant health, greater conservation of resources, reduced labor costs, and improved soil health due to fewer weeds growing near the plants.
Drip irrigation systems minimize labor costs associated with hand watering since they only require occasional maintenance such as flushing out debris from clogged emitters. The overall result makes these systems something that you may want to consider for your flower beds.
There may also be rebates that you can take advantage of. Here is a list of rebates (by city) that you can get from using WaterSense labelled products.
How To Set Up Your Drip Irrigation?
Now that you know what drip irrigation is, let’s look at how you can set up a system on your commercial property:
Select the appropriate system – these systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Consider how much area needs to be irrigated and the type of plants being grown before selecting the number of emitters needed for your system.
Install the lines – Once you’ve selected a system, it’s time to install it on your property. This includes laying out the polyethylene tubes, emitters, and other components.
Connect a water source – To power your drip irrigation system, you’ll need to connect it to an appropriate water source such as an underground well or municipal line. Be sure to use high quality connectors and joints for a secure connection that will last for years.
Set up a timer – Once the system is installed and connected, it’s time to set up the timer so your plants receive the proper amount of water at regular intervals throughout the day. This can be done manually or with a computerized controller depending on how large your property is and what type of system you have chosen.
Smart Rain's SmartController™ can connect to your drip irrigation system. Smart Rain is a smart irrigation system that uses smart technology to help you save money and water! Their patented technology works with your drip irrigation system to conserve even more water than you would with just your system alone! Learn more about Smart Rain’s smart irrigation technology.
Following these steps will help you to start your conservation journey. Many report that this is a much more efficient way to properly water your flowerbeds, bushes, and shrubbery while saving a significant amount of water.
Downsides of a Drip Irrigation System
We’ve already told you what drip irrigation is, how you can install one, and we’ve also let you know of the numerous benefits. But we do want to be honest and let you know about some of the downsides.
One of the potential downsides is that it can be difficult to install and maintain. It requires precision for the system to work properly, so knowledge of the underlying science and technology involved is essential.
Additionally, due to its complexity, it may require a professional installer who knows how to build and set up the system correctly. Furthermore, because there are several components involved in a drip irrigation system, regular maintenance is necessary to keep everything functioning optimally. This can be time-consuming and costly.
In addition, if not managed carefully, drip irrigation may cause water runoff or oversaturation in certain areas of your property. As a result, these areas may become flooded with too much water which can lead to erosion or other damage. If the irrigation system is not regularly inspected and maintained, it can become blocked or clogged which can cause further complications.
Finally, depending on your local climate, it may be difficult to ensure that your system is effective throughout the year. If temperatures fluctuate drastically in your region, then you may need to adjust the settings of the system regularly in order to ensure optimal performance. This can be tedious and time-consuming.
Should You Get a Drip Irrigation System?
Maybe a drip irrigation system isn’t for you. These systems are water efficient, and they can also help you save time and money. They can also be complicated and cumbersome to maintain. Here at Smart Rain, we believe the benefits to you and the environment outweigh the downsides when it comes to drip irrigation. So, the answer is simple: YES! You should get a drip irrigation system!
The time to think about water conservation is now. The earth needs our help. Humanity needs our help. One of the best things that you can do is start thinking about ways that you can help protect the most important resource we have on this planet: water. A resource that gives life to all living things.
Though you may feel your contribution is small, if we all do our part for water conservation, we can make a big difference. A drip irrigation system can help you in your water conservation journey. Make a plan today to begin conserving water. And see how Smart Rain can help you!
