


1: It Saves Time

You might love your time in your garden, but as they say, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. After tilling the ground and carefully planting those seedlings, you might find yourself frustrated when weeds pop up, the ground gets too wet, or you have to make adjustments to the layout of your land. Fortunately, drip irrigation systems make all of these things easier.

Drip irrigation systems are essentially long hoses with holes cut into the sidewalls. Instead of spraying your garden with an air-borne flow of water, the moisture slowly drips out of the hoses and directly onto your plants or the nearby ground. Here are a few ways drip irrigation systems can save you time:

  • Watering: You don't need to worry about hoses every time you need to water. Drip irrigation systems can be set up to work with your sprinkler controller. After you calculate your watering times and program your controller, your drip irrigation system will deliver water according to the schedule you set.  
  • Weeding: One huge downfall of traditional sprinkler systems is that they tend to spread water where it isn't needed—which can spark weed growth. However, since drip irrigation systems water plants directly, fewer weeds pop up, which can significantly reduce your workload.
  • Easy Access: Drip irrigation systems are also incredibly easy to adjust because they lay on top of the ground instead of inside deep trenches. If you decide to move plants around or eliminate sections of your garden, all you have to do is move the hoses.

If you are worried about that drip irrigation system being difficult to install and set up, you shouldn't be. Drip line hoses can be attached to traditional water spigots or screwed onto secondary water supply lines in seconds. Also, since the drip lines lay above ground, you can easily test water flow, which can take a lot of the guesswork out of setting up your garden. 

2: It Creates a Healthier Growing Environment

Keeping your garden's water supply in check is about more than just saving you a little time. When water is delivered in a methodical, controlled way, it can also create a healthier growing environment for your plants. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Less Runoff: When sprinklers toss loads of extra water on your plants, it can wash away vital nutrients, pesticides, and fertilizers. However, since drip irrigation systems use about 50% less water than sprinklers, you can keep those pricey additives in place so that they can do their job.
  • Deep Moisture Penetration: Since drip irrigation systems slowly permeate the ground without flooding, they also tend to soak the ground deeper, which encourages root growth.
  • Prevents Fungal Diseases: If your garden gets too much water, fungal diseases can run rampant in your soil and cause symptoms like wilted leaves, moldy coatings, scabs, and even rotted roots. However, since drip irrigation uses less water and keeps extra moisture from penetrating the soil, you can keep the area healthy.

To ward off plant problems, do yourself a favor and have a professional sprinkler contractor inspect your drip irrigation system after you get it installed. They can quickly and easily detect issues with your lines, give you advice about how to expand your system, or suggest ways to improve your equipment.

By updating your garden with a drip irrigation system, you might be able to enjoy large, healthy fruits and vegetables—without breaking a sweat.