Drip irrigation: What you need to know

Drip irrigation is a highly efficient and economical watering method that directly delivers water to the root zone of the plant and allows it to slowly seep into the soil one drop at a time. This system was originally intended for agricultural purposes, but it is now popularly used in Australian home gardens as well. Here’s why:

Pros of drip irrigation

• It saves time and effort. You don’t need a lot of muscle to turn a drip system on. If it has a timer, it even automatically turns the system off for you. You don’t have to worry if you forget to turn it off, and you no longer have to drag hoses and sprinklers around your yard.

• Less water is wasted. A drip system only allows drops of water to be released into the soil, and this significantly reduces the amount of water lost to runoff or evaporation. Less is also wasted on weeds since water directly goes to the plants and leaves the soil surface drier. Weeds are less likely to sprout on dry soil.

• It’s flexible. You can regulate the supply of water by simply adjusting valves and nozzles. Additionally, this makes the system well-suited to the needs of various types of plants and soils.

• It makes plants healthier. Drip irrigation ensures that plants receive the right amount of water. Consequently, it prevents plants from experiencing water stress, which affects their growth. This also makes plants grow more quickly and reduces the risk of foliage diseases and insect problems.

Cons of drip irrigation

Typically, it costs more to install drip systems than other types of irrigation systems, but it often pays off in the long run due to its high level of efficiency. There are a couple of things that you need to look out for, though: tubes may get damaged due to sun exposure, and the system may experience clogging if the filters are neglected.

Preventive measures

Get the services of an experienced tradesman who can guarantee durable and high-quality work. It would also be ideal to hire a business specialising in drip irrigation. You can also get a pro to do regular maintenance checks on the tubes and filters to ensure that they’re always in top condition.

You can find reliable tradies on our list of top drip irrigation experts in Australia.