Drip irrigation saves time, money, and, more importantly, water. While there are many DIY setups you can cobble together, a professional system will conserve more water and keep your landscaping and garden green and healthy.
In arid or semi-arid climates, like Denver’s, water usage must be kept to a minimum because of recent drought conditions and subsequent water shortages. Drip irrigation conserves precious water and delivers moisture deep into your landscaping and gardens’ soil and root systems.
This article will examine how drip irrigation systems work, which type is right for you, and how to install your own or hire a professional.
Who Can Benefit From Drip Irrigation in Landscaping
This article speaks directly to homeowners who want to conserve water but still want green landscaping and gardens. Beyond conserving water, drip irrigation offers one of the most effective ways to hydrate your yard and garden — delivering moisture on a schedule and directly to the roots of your plants.
- Home gardeners want lower water bills and thriving plants.
- Commercial growers/farmers need efficient, large-scale watering.
- Landscapers/property owners maintaining lawns, trees, and shrubs sustainably.
- Eco-conscious homeowners seeking sustainable, low-maintenance irrigation.
- Anyone living in a location with water conservation restrictions
How Does Drip Irrigation Work?
There are several ways to get water to your backyard, garden, or fields. Surface irrigation means covering an entire field with water. Overhead irrigation waters the plants, but much of the water becomes runoff. Conversely, drip irrigation is much more controlled and targeted, resulting in higher efficiency and better results.
Drip irrigation works by using small emitters that release water slowly and steadily. The nickel-sized emitters lie directly on the ground, generally in rows. They are connected to a water feeder hose. Another, more common version is trickle tape, a hose with drip emitters built in — sometimes called drip tape.
The most significant benefit of drip irrigation is the ability to apply water precisely and at the right time. The hose or tape lies directly on the ground, and as such, the water slowly and gently penetrates the soil and seeps deep into root systems. This controlled, low-pressure system reduces evaporation and runoff and maximizes water usage.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation
There are many benefits to having a drip irrigation system, especially if you need to conserve water while still keeping your plants healthy:
- Drip or trickle irrigation saves up to 30–50% more water than sprinkler irrigation. Water conservation is necessary in arid parts of the world, and the amount you can save using drip irrigation is well worth the investment.
- With targeted watering, you’ll enjoy healthier plants. Any irrigation aims to get water through the soil and roots. The targeted, slow drip process allows the water to get to the roots before it evaporates or becomes runoff.
- Drip irrigation reduces weeds by watering only plant roots. Using overhead irrigation water on everything, not just your plants, weeds often benefit more than your yard or garden. Drip irrigation avoids watering weeds and targets only the plants you want.
- Drip Irrigation is adaptable to gardens, landscaping, and agriculture. It can be scaled up or down and is flexible enough for small and larger areas. There are other irrigation methods, but whatever your application, positioning your drip irrigation system close to the ground and near your plants will deliver water directly to their roots.
Installing a Drip Irrigation System
When installing a drip irrigation system, you have two main options: DIY kits or professional installation.
- DIY Kits — DIY kits are widely available at garden centers and home improvement stores. They’re affordable, relatively simple to set up, and a good choice for small gardens, raised beds, or homeowners who enjoy hands-on projects. Most kits come with drip tubing, emitters, connectors, and instructions that let you design a system to match your garden layout. You’ll need to plan for your drip line, which might include a simple water hose so that you can monitor water flow.
- Professional Installation – Hiring a professional may be the better route for larger landscapes, commercial gardens, or properties with complex layouts. A pro can design a system that accounts for water pressure, zoning, and plant groupings to ensure even distribution across your entire property, including surface and subsurface drip irrigation.
No matter which route you choose, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
- Water Pressure — Drip systems need low, steady pressure. A pressure regulator may be required to keep the system running efficiently.
- Spacing —The distance between emitters should match the plant layout. Closer spacing works for vegetable rows, while wider spacing suits shrubs or trees that must reach deep into the root zone.
- Plant Types — Different plants have different watering needs. Group plants with similar requirements together so your system delivers the right amount of water without over- or under-watering, delivering the water and nutrients your plants need.
Professional Drip Irrigation Services in Denver
An efficient drip irrigation system is the key to conserving water while growing a lush, green garden or backyard landscape. While many DIY methods are available, one significant benefit of a professional drip irrigation system is that it’s automated, so you can set it and forget it.
Denver’s premium landscaping company, C&H Landscaping, knows the summer water restrictions we adhere to well to conserve water during the arid summer months. We’ve installed hundreds of reliable systems that meet conservation guidelines and keep lawns and gardens healthy and green.
Contact us if you’re considering a custom irrigation, sprinkler, or drip irrigation system for your home and yard. Call us at 303-988-1873 to talk to one of our schedulers or designers. C&H Landscaping wants to help you have the landscape design of your dreams.
At C&H Landscaping, our mission is to transform everyday outdoor spaces into something extraordinary with creative designs and top-notch craftsmanship. Expert Denver landscaping services from custom design to professional installation. We offer tailored solutions that enhance curb appeal, increase property value, and bring your vision to life.
