Improving Your Landscaping

Posted on: 10 May 2016

Years ago, if you drove past a field during irrigation, you'd see sprinklers spraying water out above the plants. These days, it's rare to see such a thing. More large farms are using drip irrigation, which delivers water directly to the surface of the soil rather than spraying it over the plants. In fact, drip irrigation is not just a wise choice for big farms. It's a smart choice for your own landscaping, too. Here's a look at the advantages of having a drip irrigation system installed on your own property.

Water Conservation

When plants are sprayed from overhead, a lot of water is wasted. Some lands on the plants' leaves and just evaporates. Some is sprayed to the side where it's not really needed. Drip irrigation delivers water directly where it's needed. It's absorbed into the soil quickly, so it does not have time to evaporate. Over time, drip irrigation will reduce your water bills -- and help you stay within usage limits if you're in an area where water shortages are common and there are restrictions on use.

Less Scorching

Overhead watering is not really good for the plants. Water that's deposited on the leaves is heated by the sun, which scorches the leaves. If you rely on overhead spraying, you have to be very careful not to water when the sun is out and it's hot. This restricts your watering to early morning or evening. But with drip irrigation, there's no issue with leaf scorch since the water never touches the plants' leaves. You can water any time you like -- even in the middle of the blazing hot afternoon.

Reduced Risk of Fungal Diseases

Fungi love moisture. If you water your plants from overhead, they're often going to be a bit moist, and this may lead to fungal growth. There are fungal infections that affect most every type of plant, from grass to hedges, and it's not uncommon for them to kill a plant. When you use drip irrigation, your plants don't get wet, so the risk of fungal infections goes down. As a result, your plants will be generally healthier, and you don't have to worry about spraying with with fungicides (which will save you money and is better for the planet.)

If you want lower water bills, greater convenience, and healthier plants, talk to a landscaping contractor about installing a drip irrigation system on your property. Contact a business, such as H2O Lawn Sprinklers, for more information.