Drip Irrigation Mary McSherry April 17, 2014
Drip Irrigation
What Why Where How
Key elements for growing plants Light Air Temperature Nutrition Water/Moisture
Ideal
Not so ideal
Automatic sprinkler systems
Drip Irrigation
Advantages 90 to 95% of the water goes directly into the soil Plant foliage stays dry which reduces plant diseases Amount of water can be controlled, especially when using an automatic timer It is so efficient that many water utilities exempt landscapes irrigated with drip from restrictions during drought Weed growth can be minimized Efficient way to fertilize plants Systems can be used in irregular plots and/or on slopes
Disadvantages Sun/rodent damage to tubes Tubes can get clogged if not properly maintained Susceptible to freezing in cold weather
Drip Irrigation System
Drip Irrigation CommercialResidential
Commercial Garden
Home Flower Garden
Home Vegetable Garden
Availability/Cost Home and garden centers Big box stores On-line shopping Initial investment may be recovered in savings of water and time
Resources vegetable-gardens vegetable-gardens ologies/drip-irrigation ologies/drip-irrigation ardening/Drip_Irrigation_for_Home_Gardens.pdf ardening/Drip_Irrigation_for_Home_Gardens.pdf
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