Different Types Of Irrigation Systems For Your Garden
If you are still watering your garden or lawn by hand then it is high time for an irrigation system. Irrigation systems make it much easier to water your garden, they ensure better care for your plants and they are also a lot more water efficient than watering by hand with just a hose.
There are quite a few different types of irrigation systems that are very functional for the average ornamental garden. Let’s take a look at some of the best irrigation systems out there and discuss what the best uses for these systems are.
Drip Irrigation Systems
Drip irrigation systems are often used in agricultural vegetable crops and orchards but they can also be very functional for watering flower beds, flower pots, hanging baskets, or small gardens.
These systems use 30 – 50% less water than any other irrigation system because the water is administered to the root of the plant and nothing is wasted.
The irrigation system consists of a network of tubes with small holes or emitters that are placed above or below the surface of the soil. The holes or emitters are strategically placed so water will be applied directly to each plant or container. These drippers will slowly apply water over a long period of time.
Micro Spray Systems
Micro spray systems are functional for small to medium-sized planting areas where drip-irrigation systems might not be practical. They are designed with a simple network of pipes and have several low-volume micro-sprayers attached to them. Unlike drip irrigation, these micro sprayers offer overhead watering but these systems have a short range so you won’t waste any water.
As with drip irrigation systems, the micro sprayers can be strategically placed at any areas in your garden that you might need to water. They are ideal for plants that enjoy overhead watering.
Mini Sprinkler Systems
A mini sprinkler system is a type of overhead sprinkler that operates at a low water pressure level. This type of system has a sprayer with a smaller nozzle compared to a rain gun or sprinkler and, as such, can operate at a lower pressure level and doesn’t have such a long range. Mini sprinkler systems are ideal for low-volume irrigation and can be very handy for vegetable gardens, orchids, greenhouses, or even for small lawns.
Pop-up Sprinkler Systems
Pop-up sprinklers are usually connected to a network of pipelines that are buried beneath the ground. These sprinklers are designed to rise from the ground when they are activated and will retract back down when the water is shut off. Pop-up sprinklers can be used for watering all sorts of gardens. They are often used to water large lawns, flowerbeds, and borders. These sprinklers usually require quite a bit of water force in order to rise up from the ground and might not be suitable for areas with low water pressure levels. They are ideal for a larger garden and plants that flourish from overhead watering.
Combination Sprinkler Systems
Each of these different sprinkling systems has its own advantages and disadvantages but the good news is that you don’t have to settle for just one. A combination of different irrigation systems can be used all over your garden for effective watering. For example, you could get some pop-up sprinklers for your lawn, install some mini sprinkler systems in all of your flower beds, and get a network of drippers that can automatically water all of your hanging baskets or water-specific plants that might be strategically placed amidst a rocky garden features like gravel.
If you are tired of pending hours watering your garden then it is time to reach out and give Stone Edge Landscapes a call. We can offer some advice on the right type of irrigation system for your yard and we can get these systems professionally installed so you will never have to struggle to water your garden again.
