Drip irrigation is the slow and precise application of water directly to the root zone of the plant, resulting in less water lost to evaporation in the sun or wind. The root zone is maintained at the ideal moisture level combining the proper balance of water and air. All of these factors promote deeper penetration of the roots, more foliage growth and abundant flower and fruit production! 1 What is drip irrigation? Drip irrigation applies water and nutrients very efficiently directly to the plant's roots and only where it is needed ensuring healthy plants and vigorous growth. Studies on drip irrigation systems are show results of up to 60% more efficiency over sprinkler systems. <a href="http://www.uri.edu/">University of Rhode Island</a> 2 Why should we use drip irrigation? Low volume irrigation systems are designed for placement in both, new, existing landscapes and vegetable gardens. They are also ideal for installation on difficult terrain such as on slopes, in oddly shaped areas, and sites with high winds. Drip irrigation can be used on shrubs, groundcovers, trees, flowers bed, vegetable garden, perennials pot and containers. It can also installed in a greenhouse and nurseries 3 Where should we use drip irrigation? The advantage and benefits are more than just saving water. __Water Efficiency__: By applying water only where and when it is needed, with less runoff, deep percolation, and evaporation from leaves and soil, the uniform application of water from drip irrigation systems can achieve high water savings ranging upwards to 60%. __Ease of Installation__: A drip system can be installed without special tools or glue, and with limited knowledge, therefore making the installation a very simple process. DIG's low volume irrigation systems install easily above or below the ground. __Reduced Pest Problems and Weed Growth__: Watering only the roots of the plants using drip irrigation cuts down on water-borne pests and fungal diseases that spread by water movement, as well as the germination of weeds in the areas between plants. __Versatility__: Low volume irrigation systems are designed for placement in both new and existing landscape areas, and are ideal for installation on difficult terrain such as on slopes, in oddly shaped areas, and on windy sites. __Root Zone__: One of the most important aspects of drip irrigation is the fact that in many instances, a totally new and more favorable root zone environment is created and a relatively constant soil moisture level is maintained. This fact has important implications on plants because it bears upon questions of plant water requirements, tolerance and control of disease. __Economy__: Investing in a low volume irrigation system can save you money and significantly lower your water use. __Long Life__: All DIG products are designed to withstand the harshest conditions in both home and commercial installations. They are manufactured of high quality, highly durable plastics and contain added quantities of the compound Carbon Black, making them resistant to the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. 4 What is the advantage and benefits of using drip irrigation system? No serious introduction to drip irrigation would be complete without a look at the disadvantages associated with its use: * Drip irrigation requires a pressure regulator and filter to protect the drip system. * The soft poly tubing can be susceptible to damage from insects, rodents, and houshold pets. * A filter is required to guard against potential clogging at the very small orifices of the drippers and micro sprinklers. * You cannot see a drip system working as you can a conventional sprinkler system. * Drip irrigation creates a smaller wetted area, so control is more critical to avoid stress for the plants. 5 What is the disadvantage of using a drip system? Investing in a low volume irrigation system can save money by significantly lowering your water use in the garden and in turn lowering your water utility bills. Drip irrigation is less expensive to install in both, material and labor cost. No special tools needed, the installation is quick and the system maintenance is very simple. 6 What is the advantage of using drip irrigation vs. spray or rotary sprinklers? For designing and selecting the correct parts for installing a drip irrigation system, DIG is offers a comprehensive series of links to help you. Please take the time to read our [Drip Irrigation Installation Guide](/DIY/208-Drip_Irrigation_design_and_Installation_Guide/pages "Drip Irrigation Installation Guide"). In this guide we provide you with all the information you need to install a system. 7 Where can I find out how to design and install DIG drip irrigation or micro sprinklers system? DIG does not sell directly to the public. Use the link below to find local stores close to you or visit one of the online stores that sell our products. [Where to Buy](/DIY/192-Where_to_Buy "Where to Buy") 8 Where can I buy DIG products? You should not exceed more than 220 GPH on a single 1/2" drip tubing with .700OD, 35 GPH on a single 1/4" micro tubing with .245 OD or 5 GPH on a single 1/8" micro tubing with .187 OD. 9 What is the maximum flow that I can use with a single line of ½" drip tubing, single line of ¼" micro tubing or a single line of 1/8" micro tubing? To start a drip system for containers or pots, use our [kit](/DIY/216-Starter_Kits/diy_products "kit") model FM01 for 10 pots or FS50 for 22 containers and pots. Our suggestion is to use a combination of 1/4" drip soaker line and misters for large containers and individual drippers for small pots. For larger or longer containers use a 1/4" soaker line (drip line with .4 GPH dripper every 12"). For pots use 1-2 .5 GPH drippers per pot. First, divide the containers and pots into groups with similar sizes and similar watering needs. It is also advisable to divide containers and pots into groups that are either in full sun or in shaded areas. We have made a list ([pot and basket parts list and installation](/DIY/202-Case_Studies/pages/18 "pot and basket parts list and installation") ) what we think are the best steps to help you install this system. Please be aware that every installation application is different and we cannot make this link perfect for every situation. If you do not find the exact information that pertains to your application, send as an email with what you would like to do and we will provide a recommendation. 10 What is the best way to water container plants? Due to a low flow application rate and maintenance issues we suggest you use conventional pop-up sprinklers to irrigate turf areas. 11 Can I use micro sprinkler or drippers on my lawn? We recommend having the drippers above ground or covered by mulch to prevent clogging. The drippers should be installed above grade, and if necessary secured by a stake. 12 Can I bury the drippers? If you have never used a drip irrigation system before, you may start a system by using one of our [starter kits](/DIY/216-Starter_Kits/diy_products "starter kits"), such as model G77 drip kit or GE200. For more details of how to install a complete drip system please see the link to [drip irrigation installation for a garden with a part list](/DIY/202-Case_Studies/pages/16 "drip irrigation installation for a garden with a part list"). 13 It's my first time using drip-irrigation, what you suggest is the best way to start a drip system? Our suggestion is to use one of these 2 options: use DIG's 1/2" drip line model [B18100](/DIY/220-Drip_Line__Drip-Soaker_Hose_&_Drip_Tape/diy_products "B18100") with dripper every 12" or drip soaker line kit (100' drip soaker line with dripper every 12" model [ST100 kit](/DIY/216-Starter_Kits/diy_products "ST100 kit")). See [drip irrigation installation and part list suggestions for vegetable gardens](/DIY/202-Case_Studies/pages/17 "drip irrigation installation and part list suggestions for vegetable gardens") 14 What is the best way to water a vegetable garden? Yes, drip irrigation or low volume irrigation systems have been designed to operate with lower pressures than sprinkler systems, so pressure regulators typically are a necessity. Operating pressure suggest for a drip system is around 25 PSI with the lower pressure start at 15 PSI and the higher pressure is 30 PSI 15 Is a pressure regulator necessary to use with a drip system? There are several ways to verify that your drip irrigation system is working: 1. If the drippers are subsurface connect micro tubing to the drip line at any location (ideally at the end of the line) and raise it to the surface. At the end of the micro tubing installed a dripper and use it as a point source dripper to check if the system is operating. 2. Monitor the flow at your water meter. 3. Check the control valve via the manual external bleed. 4. Check for moisture or wetted area at the surface of the soil directly above a dripper or drip line. Because water travels both upward and outward from the dripper, the soil will usually be damp at, or close to, the surface of the dripper. 16 How you can tell that the system is working? Depends on your location, plant material, soil type and the weather our suggestion, is that after a one or two weeks of using the system, check the soil, the health of the plants, and adjust the watering times as needed. Consult with your local plant supplier or nursery for more information or see our [watering schedule](/DIY/208-Drip_Irrigation_design_and_Installation_Guide/pages/4 "watering schedule") with a recommendation. 17 How long and how often should I water using a drip system? 1. Take shorter showers - cut your shower time by 2 minutes and save 5 gallons every time you shower 2. A typical bathroom faucet uses 6 gallons per minute. Turn off your faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving. 3. Check your water meter to see if there are any leaks. If it's spinning and there's no water being used, there is probably an undetected leak somewhere. 4. While waiting for the shower to warm up, catch the cold water in a container to use on outside plants. 5. Don't use your toilets as a wastepaper basket. 6. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. If you only have a few dishes, it's better to wash them in the sink. 7. Use a broom on driveways, sidewalks and patios instead of washing them down with a hose - save as much as 150 gallons per use. 8. When taking your car to a car wash, be sure it's one that recycles its wash water. If you wash your car at home, don't leave the hose running - use a nozzle with an automatic shut off and save up to 10 gallons per minute. 9. Take a look at how water is used at your workplace and consider suggesting some of these same ideas to management. 10. Consider installing a weather based "smart" irrigation controller. 11. Get your irrigation system tuned up for efficiency. When was the last time you actually watched all the sprinklers in action? Are you sure there aren't any geysers coming out of your front yard? 12. Adjust the timer on automatic sprinklers according to seasonal water demands and weather conditions. Install a rain shut-off device on automatic sprinklers so you're not watering when the ground is already wet. 13. Check sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks. Keep the heads in good repair. 14. Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation. 15. Make sure your sprinkler is placed so it only waters the lawn, not the pavement. __Last option to save water:__ Install a drip irrigation system for watering trees, shrubs, flowerbeds and vegetable garden. Drip irrigation provides a slow, steady trickle of water to plants at their roots through a network of drip tubing and micro tubing. The systems can be controlled using an irrigation controller that can be adjusted for different levels of watering according to the needs of the plants. Drip irrigation systems reduce over-watering, inefficient watering; weed growth, and the time and labor involved in hand watering. 18 Can you suggest other ways to save water around the house? Drippers are the heart of any drip irrigation system, the "sprinkler head" if you will. DIG drippers will deliver the precise amount of water required to the plant's root zone. They are inexpensive, easy to install, reliable and accurate. They may be inserted directly into 1/2" poly tubing or extended to the plant with 1/4" micro tubing. DIG drippers incorporate three different characteristics: pressure compensating, adjustable flow and turbulent flow drippers. * __PC Drippers__ are self-cleaning and utilize a silicone diaphragm, which moves up and down as pressure fluctuates to control the flow. The drippers are designed for long life under the harshest conditions. Ideal use for a PC dripper is in any design when attention to the number of drippers and the total flow capacity of the drip tubing are not followed. * __Turbulent flow drippers__ allow water to move rapidly in irregular random motions. Turbulent flow drippers regulate water flow by dissipating energy in friction against the walls of the water passage. Turbulent flow button drippers are available in flow rates of .5, 1 and 2 GPH at 25 PSI and have extra large water passages to prevent clogging. * __Adjustable drippers__ aallow the installer to change the flow for each individual plant. Twisting the dial on the dripper towards the "+" or the " -" signs will allow you to adjust the flow between 1 GPH and 10 GPH. 19 How do the drippers work? The soil is a storage room of the plants nutrients, and the medium, through which water and nutrients move. It is the anchor for plants and the reservoir of water for plants' growth. There are various types of soil with differing characteristics, which determine what types of plants can be grown. Nevertheless, plants can thrive in a very broad spectrum of soil textures when water is applied at the proper rate, with appropriate spacing. Each type of soil creates a typical wetting pattern that will require a different layout. In sandy soil, the water will tend to go straight down, so we recommend using micro sprinklers or closely spaced, 12" apart, 1 GPH or 2 GPH drippers. In loamy soil, the water will move slowly and will spread evenly, so here you can use .5 GPH or 1 GPH drippers with a 16" to 18" spacing. In clay soil in which drip irrigation work the best, the water will be absorbed very slowly, so use low flow drippers such as .5 or 1 GPH at a wider spacing, 18" to 24" apart. 20 What about different soil types?