Drip irrigation system in Tucson Drip irrigation is the modern, efficient way to water your plants and lawns. Drip systems deliver water directly to your plant’s root zone instead of wetting an entire area. Drip watering also allows you to place your garden where it’s most convenient and still have lush, healthy plants!

Drip irrigation has become a popular method of watering and growing plants year-round – without wasting water! Conventional sprinkler systems can waste up to 50% or more of the water they apply through evaporation, wind, runoff, or being left on the ground after rain.

Components Used in Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation systems typically consist of three main components.

Drip Lines or Tubing

Drip irrigation tubing is fragile and flexible, commonly called micro-tubing. Drip lines connect the soaker hoses to the emitters. Drip lines come in a variety of lengths, diameters (1/8″, 3/16″, and 1/4″), and wall thickness. Drip lines can be polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or fluoropolymer.

Drip Emitters

Drip emitters come in various sizes – from very small to large, with each emitter outputting a different amount of water. Drip emitters are available in different thread types, flow rates, and spray patterns. Drip emitters come in a variety of housing materials and cost levels – from plastic to stainless steel.

Drip Tubing Connectors

Drip irrigation systems use various connectors to connect the drip lines to the water source and drip lines together for efficient watering. Drip connector fittings include barbed Tees, cross and lateral Tees, Elbow joints, and so on. Drip tubing connectors are commonly made of plastic, CPVC (Chlorine-free Poly Vinyl Chloride), or copper – each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Drip Irrigation Drip systems are very efficient. Drip lines can be connected to your home’s existing water supply and then run almost anywhere you want to water- even right up next to your house or other buildings.

Steps to Install Drip Irrigation Systems

  1. The first step in designing a new drip system or making changes to your existing system is to perform a site analysis. You may have the best soil, fertilizer, plant material, and water source in the world, but if you do not put it in the right place, you will still lose plants and money. Drip irrigation is an exact water delivery system, and applying too much or too little water can seriously affect your entire garden.
  2. The general rule of thumb for Drip irrigation systems is that each row should be between 18 and 36 inches apart, and each plant should have its emitter. If you are trying to keep your drip irrigation system out of sight, consider using half-inch Drip tubing rather than the traditional Drip tape or emitters. Drip tape can be challenging to lay at ground level because it does not stake easily into the soft soil without digging a large hole.
  3. Drip tape can be laid at the same depth as Drip Tubing, but it is much more expensive, and your watering rates will be doubled to compensate for the flow reduction caused by the larger Drip Diameter. Drip tape tends to unravel and create a trip hazard if you have soft or loose soils next to walkways or driveways. Drip Tubing is easier to install, less expensive, and simpler to adjust if you try to achieve different watering times for each plant.
  4. Drip tubing can be tapped directly into your water source using barbed fittings instead of the traditional Drip tape fitting with an external thread and relies on hard plastic or rubber Drip tape connector to create a Drip Tape Fitting System. Drip tubing is designed to last for many years if you are using suitable Drip Tubing. Drip tubing can also be easily connected in several different ways. Drip Tubing Drip Systems can be used in any soil or terrain. It shows well when Drip Tubing Drip Systems are used in flower beds or around trees where Drip Tape Drip Systems may be visually intrusive.

Drip tubing Drip Systems are easily installed, cost less to maintain than Drip Diameter Drip Systems because you can replace individual Drip Tubing without replacing the entire system, and Drip Tubing Drip Systems maximize your watering equipment investment by lasting for many years. Drip Tape Drip Systems are also a great option if you do not have Drip Diameter Drip Tubing available in your area. By all means, Drip Diameter Drip Systems are an effective way to water Drip Diameters of 3/4, 7/8, and 1.0 inches without having to install a more significant diameter emitter than what is needed for your plant material or flow rate.