Drip Irrigation

Top 15 Drip Irrigation Questions

Apr 8th 2024

Drip irrigation is the most efficient irrigation method. Each water drop goes right to the plant's root zone, minimizing water waste due to evaporation or runoff. Many gardeners are aware of the benefits and efficiency of a drip irrigation system, but they do not have enough knowledge about this modern irrigation system. This may cause them to face a few issues while designing, installing, or running their drip irrigation.

This article will answer the top 15 drip irrigation questions we hear a lot from gardeners and farmers. These questions will clear your doubts and allow you to confidently start your drip irrigation project and water your plants efficiently.

1. What is a Drip Irrigation System?

Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation, is the watering method that delivers water and nutrients directly to the roots of crops drop by drop through drip lines. This irrigation method drips the water slowly on the plant's root zone, which allows growers to control irrigation precisely and save water, energy, and fertilizer.

2. What are the Benefits of Drip Irrigation over Sprinklers or Hand Watering?

Flooding a field, irrigating crops with sprinklers, or hand watering are less efficient and time-consuming. With these methods, you have less control over the amount of water the plants receive, which leads to overwatering or underwatering, and more water and nutrients are lost.

The benefits of drip irrigation include:

Water efficiently and precisely to the plant's root system
Saves up to 70% water and fertilizer
Saves money and time
Promotes plant growth and reduces plant stress
Improves soil health
Reduces weed growth
Prevents diseases and pest infestations
Improves yield quality and quantity

3. What are the Main Types of Drip Irrigation?

The drip irrigation system is classified into two main types.

Surface Drip Irrigation: Surface drip irrigation involves applying water directly to the soil surface. This method lays drip lines on the soil surface, releasing water at the plant's roots.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI): A subsurface drip irrigation system is the most efficient irrigation method in which water is applied to plants below the soil surface. In this method, the pipes or drip tubing are buried in the soil at 20-50 cm depth.

Related Post: Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Lawns

4. How is Drip Irrigation different from the Sprinkler System?

Both irrigation systems deliver water to plants, but a sprinkler system works by spraying plants above the ground, and drip systems deliver water directly to the root zone of plants with a consistent, slow drip instead of spray. With drip irrigation, water comes out slowly from drip lines or drippers to provide the precise amount. The lines run either on the ground or below the soil surface.

Sprinklers work best when you need to cover a large yard area. Grass, trees, and lots of flowers do better with sprinkler systems. However, sprinklers cause more water loss than drip irrigation.

5. Which Crops Are Suitable for Drip Irrigation?

All vegetable crops, orchard plants, flowers, trees, spices, and oilseeds are appropriate for drip irrigation. Some common plants include tomatoes, capsicum, cucumber, grapes, lemon, orange, pineapple, pumpkin, watermelon, strawberry, rose, jasmine, sunflower, cloves, mint, and cabbage.

6. What are the primary components of a drip irrigation system?

The major components of a drip irrigation system include:

7.What is the difference between drip tape and drip line?

Drip tape and drip lines are different products used in drip irrigation systems. Both release water through drip emitters along the length of the tubing.

Drip tape is long, thin-walled flat tubing used to irrigate long, straight-line crops. Due to its flat nature, it is simple to recoil after usage. Drip tape is a preferred option when farming requires long tubing. Use drip tape in low-pressure applications with a 4-15 PSI water pressure.

The drip line is round tubing with pre-installed drip emitters along the length. A ¼ drip line is flexible, so it can be used to make rings around trees or shrubs to water the entire root system. You can also run it down potted plants or raised garden beds. Other drip lines are the Netafim and 1/2" PC Emitter tubing, ideal for large gardens with uneven terrain. These driplines have various advantages, like pressure-compensating emitters and check valves for subsurface irrigation.

8. Is Backflow Preventer Necessary for Drip Irrigation?

Installing a backflow valve in any situation where there is a cross-connection between potable and non-potable water is always recommended. Install a backflow prevention device if you plan to deliver fertilizers or other additives through your drip systems. A backflow preventer prevents fertilizer and other contaminants from flowing back into the portable water source and polluting it in the event of a loss in water pressure. Always check with your local codes to ensure you select the approved backflow for your area.

9. How to determine the Emitter Spacing?

Drip emitters can be spaced evenly for row crops and intermittently for plants spread further apart, such as trees and perennials. Emitters should be spaced about one foot apart on the drip line. One plant usually needs two emitters for irrigation. Should one emitter clog, there will be a backup to keep irrigating plants. Emitters generally have a flow rate of 1/2 GPH, 1 GPH, or 2 GPH; however, a flow rate of 1/2 GPH is better for maximum efficiency.

Furthermore, soil type also affects the emitter spacing and flow rate. Clay or loam soil that promotes the lateral spread of water can have emitters placed further apart than porous soil that holds the water. Porous and sandy soils need close spacing, heavy clay/silt loam soil needs greater spacing, and medium loam soil needs medium spacing.

10. Is Drip Irrigation Difficult to Install?

The installation process is more straightforward with careful planning, the right tools, quality components, and drip irrigation kits. Many gardeners and landscapers ask us questions about drip irrigation design and installation. For convenience, we have created the Drip Irrigation Planning Guide. Read the guide to learn more about efficient irrigation methods.

11. How Long Does It Take to Install a Drip Irrigation System?

Installing a drip irrigation system can take a few hours to a few days. A simple drip irrigation system for containers, raised beds, or small garden beds can be set up in a few hours. On the other hand, large-scale installations require more planning and more time. In such a situation, you must carefully measure the planted area, design the system's layout, and ensure appropriate water flow and pressure. All these steps can increase the planning and installation time.

12. How much water pressure is needed for drip irrigation?

Most drip systems need water pressure between 10 and 30 PSI (pounds per square inch) to function optimally because the components operate well under low pressure.

If the pressure is more than 30 PSI, it can distort the emitters, break the fittings, and damage the system.

13. How to Control Pressure in Drip Irrigation?

High pressure can be controlled by installing a pressure regulator on the main valve that separates irrigation zones. This device helps prevent leaks, irregular water application, and emitter blowouts due to high water pressure. A pressure regulator ensures a steady and measurable water flow to your drip emitters. This device helps prevent leaks, irregular water application, and emitter blowouts due to high water pressure. This device is used when incoming water pressure is too high for emitters. It reduces incoming pressure to an already set pressure level. The flow rate of the pressure regulator should match your irrigation system.

14. Can I Fertilize My Plants through a Drip Irrigation System?

Yes! You can accurately and quickly feed your plants through your drip system. Fertilizer injectors are the most efficient way to pass the nutrients to your plants and help them boost their growth. You won't have to fertilize manually. Unlike traditional fertilizing methods, fertilization through drip irrigation provides maximum benefits to your plants, and little to no fertilizer is wasted during this method.

15. How Much Does It Cost to Install a Drip Irrigation System?

The cost of a drip system varies depending on the size of the garden, watering zones, drip tubing, and the quality of the components used. The average cost of setting up a drip irrigation system in a 50-square-foot garden is around $100-240, for a 100-square-foot garden is around $170-480, and for a 200-square-foot garden is around $350-960.

Most homeowners pay $300- $815 for drip irrigation system installation. However, some large systems can cost as much as $2,500, and some low-cost DIY drip irrigation kits are available for $84 or less.

Bonus Questions

How do you install drip irrigation in a greenhouse?

Check out our installation guide.

How Does Pressure Regulator Work in a Drip Irrigation System?

Read the blog for the answer.

How Do You Convert Your Irrigation System from Sprinkler to Drip Irrigation?

Check out our irrigation guide.

Have you got answers to your questions? Now is the time to design and set up a drip irrigation system for your garden or landscape. If you have more questions about drip irrigation, please get in touch with us; we will gladly help.