Slow Drip Plant Watering System
Slow drip irrigation, also known as micro-irrigation, uses a network of pipes or tubes with tiny perforations to gradually and evenly provide water throughout a garden or yard. Among the advantages of a slow drip irrigation system, its efficient delivery of water makes it possible to use less water to satisfactorily irrigate the same number of plants. Over time, the savings in water consumption may outweigh any initial costs of installation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Efficiency
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According to Colorado State University Extension, a slow drip watering system may be 90 percent efficient or more, whereas typical sprinklers deliver water at 50 to 70 percent efficiency. The slow delivery of water minimizes water loss to evaporation or runoff, and helps avoid problems associated with overwatering. As the system delivers water through tiny pores along pliable hoses or pipes, you can orient the system according to your garden layout, to irrigate oddly shaped plantings without losing water to fallow areas. In addition, most slow drip systems use a series of fasteners and joints, allowing you to build up or change the system's orientation should your landscape design change over time.
Equipment
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Usually, slow drip watering systems use perforated micro tubing, also known as spaghetti tubing, which measures around 1/4 inch in diameter. The micro tubing connects to wider polyethylene or rigid PVC tubing, which serves as the main channels to spread the water across a lawn or garden. This tubing connects to the water source via a connector with a filter and backflow mechanism. This connection ensures that small particles from the water source do not enter the tubing, as they could clog up the tiny pores.
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Applications
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Slow drip irrigation works well for a diverse range of horticultural applications. When growing vegetables or other crops, you can set up simple slow drip tubes along the rows of your various plants. For watering delicate plants, you can use special misting attachments that send a gentle spray of water around the plant's base instead of leaking it directly from the perforated hose. Slow drip systems also work well for greenhouses or, when outfitted with spray nozzles, even for lawns.
Operation
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Set up your slow drip watering system following all the manufacturer's instructions. Most systems will require connection to a pump from a well or pond, a sprinkler system valve or a faucet. Check that your filtration device is sufficient to cleanse your available water so that there are no clogs to the system. Typically, you should run the system for about one hour, once per week when your plants are established. The specific watering needs of any garden or lawn, however, will vary widely. From year to year, maintain your irrigation system by flushing it out at the beginning of spring. Check the operation of individual emitters and pores over the course of the growing season.
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References
- Photo Credit Water root irrigation system image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
