Alternative Lawn Sprinkler Systems

Identification

• Drip irrigation systems apply water to the roots of plants, using drip tubing and low water pressure. Traditional lawn sprinklers apply large amounts of water to areas of the lawn that may not need excess moisture. Applying the water to the roots of plants uses less water than ordinary spray sprinklers. When homeowners use a traditional sprinkler system, much of the water can be lost on hot, windy days to evaporation and wind drift. These problems can be avoided by using an alternative system such as drip irrigation.

Effects

• Drip irrigation allows homeowners to apply the necessary amount of water to the soil and roots of plants that require extra moisture. Applying water to the roots only, reduces the likelihood of fungal diseases and root rot. Most fungal diseases occur when water from traditional systems wet the foliage of plants. Fungi germinates when the weather conditions are favorable and moisture is present. Drip irrigation also uses less water and costs less to run each month.

Disadvantages

• Although drip irrigation systems are an effective alternative to traditional lawn sprinkler systems, there are a few disadvantages to their use. Drip systems use tubing to emit the water to plant roots, which can become clogged. Tubing is also a trip hazard and should be secured with pins to avoid children, the elderly and animals to fall. Homeowners must take care not to mow over drip tubing, which can cause water leaks. Large trees and plants may require additional tubing to provide the necessary amounts of moisture.

Considerations

• Drip irrigation systems are a good alternative for homeowners who are concerned with saving water and want an easy to maintain system. Many homeowners install drip irrigation themselves. However, very large yards or oddly shaped gardens may require an irrigation installer for maximum coverage and efficiency. Placing drip irrigation systems on controllers, allows homeowners to pre-set the time the system runs on watering days. Inspecting your drip irrigation each spring, will identify any potential problems before they arise.