1. WATER !
Accurately Applied
Where and When You Want It
2. What is Drip Irrigation?
Drip irrigation is a method of applying slow,
steady and precise amounts of water and
nutrients to specific areas of
trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens, ground
covers or potted plants.
4. Benefits of Drip Irrigation
• Water savings, since only those areas directly around plant’s
root zone are irrigated.
• Plants undergo less stress from variations in soil moisture.
• Slow application rate prevents excess surface water build-up
and reduces evaporation.
• Weed growth is reduced because areas between plants are not
irrigated.
• System’s low flow rate allows irrigation of larger areas and more
plants can be watered at once.
• The water application rate can be tailored to fit each individual
plant if necessary.
5. Drip Irrigation System Design
There is no one right way to design a system.
Each person must judge for themselves the kind
Of system that would work the best for them.
Water cost, water availability, component and
installation costs and maintenance skill level
requirements are all factors to be considered
when deciding which system to use.
6. Example Garden Drip Irrigation
Applications – Using PVC Pipes
Traditional Garden Raised Beds
7. Major Benefits of Drip Systems
• Water Savings: 75% >
• Weeding time saved: 90%
• Hand watering time saved: 90%
• Healthier plants due to consistent
watering amounts and schedules
8. Examples of Water-Delivery Components
for Home Gardens
< Soaker
Hoses >
Emitters-Drippers ¼” “Weep Tubing”
Micro-Sprinklers
9. A Simple One-Zone Drip Watering System
Soaker Hoses – Usually
Installed Under Mulch
The Timer and
Valve Unit
The above photo shows the main water line (1),
the battery-powered timer control unit and valve (2),
the filter (3), and pressure regulator (4). Other essential
components of the system (not shown) include the
backflow preventer, which here is located at the main
water supply, and the distribution tubing to additional
soaker hoses and/or micro-sprinklers as needed. A Micro-Sprinkler
10. Timers and Control Valves
A Battery Powered
A 110V Timer for
Single-Zone Timer
Multiple Zones
Two Anti-siphon Valves and Pressure Reducers with a
Connected Timer – Allows Independent Watering of Two Zones
Note: A “Zone” is one part of a drip system, controlled by one valve
11. Commonly Used Low-Cost Parts
¼” Distribution Tubing
Micro-Sprinklers
with Mounting
Stakes
Emitters/Drippers
¼” “Weep Tubing”
¼” Tubing
Fittings
Emitters/Drippers are used to apply water slowly over a relatively long time, typically 1-4
GPH (Gallon per hour) each. Micro-Sprinklers , “Weep Tubing” and Soaker Hoses are used
to apply more water in a shorter time, typically 5 GPH and up, depending on the micro-
sprinkler head type, or the length of weep tubing or soaker hose used. Emitters should not
be mixed in one zone with other types of delivery components such as weep tubing,
micro-sprinklers or soaker hoses, due to the different water-application times needed.
12. Commonly Used Low-Cost Parts
1/2” Main
Distribution Tubing
Pressure Reducer
(Typically 25 psi) 1/2” Tubing
Fittings
Water Filter
Used to prevent clogging
of emitters/drippers and
other distribution
components.
Not Shown: Adapters between different
pipe threads and/or sizes of pipe.
13. Drip Irrigation Using Spot Emitters/Drippers
Emitters/drippers are placed close to each plant, accurately dispensing
water without the evaporative waste of overhead sprinklers or irrigation
“ditches” between rows. Special tubing is available with emitters built-in
at regular intervals, or single emitters can be placed on standard tubing
at needed intervals to accommodate randomly-spaced plants. If mulch
is used, emitters should be under the mulch to minimize evaporation.
14. Drip Irrigation Micro-Sprinklers
Some Micro-Sprinkler Types in Action
Micro-Sprinklers are placed on plastic stakes and positioned to cover a
relatively small area. They are most useful for watering shorter plants and
ground covers. Lengths of ¼” tubing from the main distribution tubing to
the sprinklers should be long enough to allow re-positioning as plants
grow. Available coverage patterns include ¼, ½, full circle and adjustable-
output “drippers” (at right). Many allow adjustment of their output volume.
Water patterns should be kept as low as possible to minimize evaporation.
15. Drip Irrigation for Pots or Containers
1/4” “Weep Tubing” can be coiled in the pots before or after planting.
Emitters/drippers may also be used in pots or containers.
The results are worth the initial effort – and watering is much easier thereafter!
16. So… You Can Go On Summer Vacations!
Design and install your own automatic drip watering system. Test and
monitor it for a week or two. Make adjustments as needed. Then go on
vacation, knowing your precious plants will be watered in your absence!
Let your little “Garden Watering Gnome” think that he has done
the caretaking in your absence.
(Don’t tell him, but you know it was your
new drip watering system that really did it!)
17. Acknowledgements
The “Blue Background” slides in this PowerPoint
presentation were adapted from a
Utah State Cooperative Extension document written by
Jeffry E. Banks, USU Extension Agent
Juab County, Nephi, Utah
Adaptations to the original slides have been made in this
presentation with Mr. Banks permission, and additional
slides added, in order to acquaint the small garden or
home landscape owner with the benefits of low-cost drip
watering in the smaller-scale environment
July, 2012
D. Moland, Jefferson County Master Gardener
