Efficient watering means putting the right amount of water in the right place when plants need it without excess runoff, over-spray, or waste. Sprinkler systems and hand watering are only 50-70 percent efficient. Drip irrigation exceeds 90 percent efficiency because water drips into the ground slowly from plastic tubing through special outlets called emitters and moves directly to the root zone.
Whether you currently hand water with hose-end sprinklers, have an in-ground sprinkler system, or are putting in new landscape, there is a drip system for you. It’s easier than you think to convert to drip irrigation!
The topics outlined below will help you install a drip system.
- Drip irrigation vs other irrigation methods
- How to get started
- Drip irrigation management
- Key considerations when implementing a drip system
- Drip irrigation basics
- Drip irrigation in different landscape situations
- Determining how much water to apply and how often
- Maintaining an irrigation system
- How to get help
Drip irrigation vs other irrigation methods for the home garden
Hand watering
Although hand watering helps, it is not the most efficient method. There is a good chance plants will either be over-watered or under-watered.
Sprinklers
Overhead sprinklers or hose-end sprinklers that spray a mist are less effective at putting water where the roots can properly use it. Also, mist from overhead watering evaporates quickly and is often blocked by foliage before it reaches the ground. Wet leaves are susceptible to diseases and damage from snails and slugs.
How to get started with a drip system
Assess your landscape for the number of different watering zones you will need. Plants may have to be relocated to create new zones.
- One plant may require more water than another or call for more or less frequent irrigation. Or parts of your landscape may be in shade while other parts are in sun.
- Drip systems are most effective when plants with similar needs are grouped together. Grouping plants with similar water needs on the same irrigation line is called hydrozoning. For example, in the graphic below (courtesy of the Stanislaus County Master Gardener Program), you could have drought tolerant plantings in zone 1 with infrequent to no water; waterwise plantings in zone 2 with occasional watering; and a vegetable garden in zone 3 with more frequent watering.
Once the number of zones has been decided, select a type of drip system to use.
There are several options for setting up the type of drip system that best fits your needs:
- A plan containing many zones may call for a system with valves and an irrigation controller.
- A plan with a couple of zones could function using a timer on a hose bib (faucet). A smart phone timer could be used to run drip manually. Learn more here about Drip Irrigation Management
- A sprinkler system can be converted to drip irrigation. Several ways to do this are explained in the PDF on Sprinkler to Drip Irrigation Conversion you can find here and the page on Drip Irrigation Management
Learn more about how to install and maintain your drip system from the list of topics outlined below:
- Drip irrigation vs other irrigation methods
- How to get started
- Drip irrigation management
- Key considerations when implementing a drip system
- Drip irrigation basics
- Drip irrigation in different landscape situations
- Determining how much water to apply and how often
- Maintaining an irrigation system
- How to get help