Building DIY Garden Drip Irrigation Systems
Drip irrigation is a type of irrigation system that allows water to trickle slowly directly into the plant roots or into the soil surface where the root zone is. This is done by using a network of pipes, valves and emitters.
Drip irrigation is commonly used in crop farms, but it is also getting popular for garden use as well.
Read our guide below to learn the benefits of using a garden drip irrigation system, as well as how to build and maintain your own.
Building a Drip Irrigation System
Installing a drip system in your garden is quite easy. As a matter of fact, if you know how to water plants with a hose, then you will surely be able to install a drip system.
There are many ways to build a garden drip irrigation system.
I found the best way was to buy a few $10 ½ soil soaker hoses and a bunch of ¼ galvanized plumbing tee, 90’s and 6” straight pipes. You can just use the hose but it gets in the way and with the plumbing parts you can cut the lengths you need and make everything fit the way you need it to.
Using the tee I can water both sides of the row evenly and it helps me put the water where I want it.
Benefits of Using A Garden Drip Irrigation System
Using a drip system as a garden irrigation method has many benefits. Here is a list of drip system advantages:
- Offers round-the-clock watering opportunities all through the day.
- Uses reserve water applications, thus minimizing the risk of plants experiencing stress.
- Helps speed up ripening of crops.
- Provides the necessary air ventilation for the soil.
- Prevents soil erosion.
- Ground stiffening is significantly minimized.
- Set up and removal is easy.
- A more efficient water usage is guaranteed.
- Helps minimize the risk of plants developing diseases.
- Helps minimize the chances of weed growth.
- Reduces the chance of bacteria dissemination.
- Gives watering possibilities in fields that do not have adequate water sources.
- Since water is supplied directly to the plant’s origin, the plant has greater chances to thrive.
- Unlike other watering systems, drip irrigation is not affected by wind, thermal fluctuations or rugged grounds.
Maintaining A Drip Irrigation System
Effective irrigation system maintenance relies on the system design itself. Maintaining a drip system involves a number of actions that help ensure that the overall system is working properly. The pressure within the drip system channel must be regularly monitored. If you do not check it from time to time, the system may develop technical irrigation failures.
Home gardeners can seek the advice of a professional in order to have the appropriate maintenance. Tubing is checked for water leakage, while the nozzles are monitored for mud or dust build up. Alternatively, you may do these things yourself. Just make sure to check the system periodically and make repairs whenever necessary.
