Drip Irrigation Advantages and Disadvantages
When you’re living in Bakersfield and want to take care of your landscape, it comes down to being able to best water the space. Even with native plants, in such a hot, dry climate, it can be challenging to keep plants, shrubs, grass, and trees alive. So as you’re planning your landscape design, having a strong watering strategy will ensure that all of your time and money isn’t wasted. A common strategy is using irrigation supplies throughout the space to efficiently water the areas. But the question is: what type of irrigation system do you use? In this blog, we’ll discuss the advantages and the disadvantages to drip irrigation.
First, What is Drip Irrigation?
Drip irrigation supplies allow a network of pipes to be installed either just at the surface or below the surface that delivers water directly to the root zone. When water can be supplied so close to the roots of your plants, this can reduce runoff, evaporation, and drift.
Advantages
Conserves Water
Because this type of irrigation supply utilizes a network of pipes, water use can be controlled more effectively. Unlike sprinklers, drip irrigation allows you to water landscape beds and ground cover areas by delivering water to exactly where you want it to be. With other methods of watering, you’re essentially throwing water around and letting it fall wherever it’s thrown.
Easy Installation
Business and homeowners alike often skip over drip irrigation systems because of the seemingly disruptive installation process, it’s not as bad as you may think. The tubing is easily installed by weaving it throughout the area. It rarely disrupts the landscape and the existing plants. Drip irrigation isn’t permanent, either, making it possible to move the system around depending on where you’re planting. Other irrigation supplies require a more permanent installation.
No Drift
Drift is when water spreads from the desired watering area to spaces you don’t want it to be, including driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots. Not only can this create an unpleasing look, especially when the water carries dirt with it, you’re wasting large amounts of water. When one to four gallons of water is delivered to your plants, you don’t want a portion of that to be watering your driveway.
Water Savings
As you can imagine, when you’re watering your landscape and some of the water isn’t making it to the plants, this is wasting water. When there is any water waste, this is also wasting money. As a homeowner or business owner, saving money is always a priority. By targeting specific areas, you can save on your water bill.
Disadvantages
System Flushes
Just like any system of tubes or pipes, you have to keep in mind what’s flowing through them. If you have hard water, it can be carrying particles and minerals that will build up over time and can cause the tubing to be clogged. Even if your water is free of minerals, it’s still important to clean out the drip emitters and nozzles. This should be done around once a week. The entire system should be flushed out at least once a month.
Ideal for Landscape Beds
Garden beds typically utilize drip irrigation supplies the best. Because there are distinct plants with a targeted root system, it’s easier to deliver the water to these specific areas. However, with lawns, conventional sprinkler systems offer the ideal solution. So if you have a large area with flowers or bushes, a drip irrigation system will work; otherwise, a different method is probably better.
Consistent Monitoring
If you install a drip irrigation system and don’t closely monitor that it’s working effectively, your plants and landscaping may suffer. When the tubing is clogged, or the emitters need to be clean, it can prevent water from effectively being delivered.
If you’re looking for irrigation supplies for your home or business, get in touch with the team at Kern Turf Supply. We have a large collection of landscaping and irrigation supplies to help you create and maintain a beautiful lawn and garden.