Drip Watering

Throughout the years, gardeners, farmers, and adamant lawn caretakers have used a variety of methods to water their respective plants. Irrigation systems in the past wasted large amounts of water flooding plants, spreading water-born diseases and allowing unused water to pool on the ground before evaporating. Modern gardeners and farmers more often use drip watering processes both to conserve water as well as to more efficiently get water to plants' root systems.

Drip watering systems are a relatively simple process. As their name suggests, they deliver water to plants in a garden or yard through pipes made of clay or plastic and an emitter, which drips small amounts of water onto plants over a long period of time. Drip irrigation systems all function based on a pump, which creates just enough pressure to supply the small amount of water needed. Many drip irrigation systems are placed underground to more adequately water the roots of plants. However, many experts advise that a lot of study should be done on the water requirements of an area before installing a drip irrigation system, as improperly installed systems may fail to supply enough water to plants.

Another modern invention that has helped grow healthy plants using drip watering systems is the use fertilizer and other chemicals in drip irrigation water. These processes, known as fertigation and chemigation, were developed as a means to get better results from fertilizers and chemicals in drip irrigation systems.

Basic drip watering systems are relatively inexpensive, and can be purchased with a moderately priced electronic water timer to allow more precise control over how often gardens and lawns are watered. Electronic water timers and drip irrigation systems also help people wondering how to create a low maintenance yard.