1/2" Emitter Tubing vs. Soaker Driplines

Choosing the best irrigation system for your situation is one of the most important parts of gardening and landscaping. Without enough water, plants have a tendency to wilt, have lower yields, and die prematurely. In this day in age, we are lucky to have an abundance of irrigation methods available to us to ensure our plants are well watered. Unfortunately, it can be hard to determine which method is the right fit for you. This article will discuss the differences between ½ Inch Emitter Tubing vs. Soaker Driplines to help you find the best irrigation for your property.

Emitter Tubing

Emitter tubing is a long poly-plastic irrigation system that has built-in pressure compensation to ensure consistent flow rates throughout the entire line, even in low-pressure areas at the end. It typically comes with evenly spaced holes to allow for uniform watering around all your plants. The major benefit of emitter tubing is that it is clog-resistant and fairly simple to fix or alter to your specific needs. ½" Emitter Tubing can also come in different emitter spacing to customize to the plants watering needs. You can easily use this tubing to create straight rows and loops around trees or large shrubs. Drip irrigation with emitter tubing can also utilize flow valves to control water flow to individual plants or sections of your landscaping.

Pros:

Built-In Pressure Compensation

Uniform Watering

Clog-Resistant

Highly Customizable

Best for Sloped Gardens

Cons:

High initial costs to set up

Routine Maintenance Required

Soaker Driplines

Soaker hoses are another good choice for above-ground watering. Soaker driplines are porous tubes that can 'weep' water along their entire length. The major benefits of soaker hoses come from low initial investment and ease of use. Typically you won't need a pressure regulator to control changes in pressure down the line; you can turn the water on and off at the faucet. However, you will want to set up the soaker driplines on flat surfaces to maintain even pressure throughout. To get more information about planning for flow vs. pressure in your home irrigation system, check out this factsheet from Oklahoma State University. Soakers are great for tree irrigation, offering a deep watering that can reach the roots of the tree. Form a loose loop around the tree,

but avoid placing the hose directly on the trunk.

Pros:

Cost-effective

Easy Installation

Reliable Water Delivery

Cons:

Unreliable Pressure in Sloped Landscapes

Less Precise Watering for Specific Plants

Difficult to Repair If Damaged