Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Drip Irrigation
In drip irrigation, water seeps slowly into the soil. Gardeners use a
hose that has many little holes in it or flat plastic tubing that has slits
on one side. Both are laid on the ground along the base of your
plants, allowing water to reach the roots. The soaker hose has the
same attachments as a regular hose and is usually used in a small
area where it can be easily attached to a water tap. The flat plastic
tubing needs more setup to work and is common in large commercial
vegetable gardens. You need irrigation connectors, attachments, and
water pipe in order to attach the tubing to your water source. With
good water pressure, both the soaker hose and plastic tubing can
give your garden soil up to an inch of water in approximately fifteen
minutes, so drip irrigation is a very efficient way to water your
vegetable garden.
Advantages to Using a Drip System
•
Very little water is lost to evaporation, so you don't waste water.
•
Moisture reaches the roots where it is most needed.
•
It adds moisture to the soil slowly, allowing it to soak in over time; this
allows the roots to utilize it better.
•
Soil is watered evenly and thoroughly.
•
Hoses or equipment can be easily moved.
Smoothie Garden Solution
You can recycle an old, leaky hose to make a drip irrigation system
of your own! Simply punch more holes into the hose every few
inches to make your own soaker hose. It's an effective way to
reuse equipment you would otherwise throw into the garbage.
