The disadvantage of this system is that it is labor intensive. You can tell if the emitters are releasing water or possibly clogged by The advantage of this system is that it is easy to monitor. They send water down into the ground about six inches deep. The surface drip irrigation system utilizes emitters that are laid out on the surface of the garden soil. There are several different types of drip irrigation systems.

Now that you know why you should choose drip irrigation, it’s time to learn about the different options. On top of all that, sprinklers apply water to the leaves of plants, which can attract diseases like molds, fungus, and bacteria. Sprinklers also waste water through evaporation and wind drift. Most overhead sprinklers measure water on a per-minute basis, which means that the soil may not be able to soak up all the water, leading to puddling and waste. Overhead irrigation applies water rapidly. So you may be watering pathways, rocks, weeds and other non-necessary things. Overhead irrigation, such as your sprinkler system, sends out water that lands on the plants, soil, and anything else within range. Time factor – setting up, taking down, and general maintenance requires time and labor.You can damage tubes by stepping on them, running over them with a tiller or mower, or the sun can break them down.The initial cost is higher than some overhead or hand watering systems.The other potential disadvantages of irrigation are: This can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on what you’re looking for. This slower rate means that the water is going where you need with little loss, but it takes a long time. Reduces diseases, especially fungal diseases, by keeping foliage dry.ĭrip irrigation systems work much slower than sprinklers and are measured in gallons per hour.Give plants a more direct source of water and nutrients, which makes them healthy and happy.Is cheaper than other irrigation systems.Makes it easier to send fertilizer to the roots of your plants.Is flexible and can be used in raised beds, irregularly shaped gardens, and in containers.In addition to conserving water, it saves the gardener an enormous amount of time. Advantages of Drip Irrigationĭrip irrigation is uniform and allows you to cover a large area. It also targets the roots of the plants, rather than providing water at the leaves, which is better for most plants. This system saves water by reducing evaporation and runoff. Because the rate is slow, the water is more readily absorbed into the ground. These tubes have small holes called emitters that release water to your plants. With drip irrigation, you send the water through long tubes. Drip irrigation is sometimes called trickle or low flow irrigation.

Water drift irrigation