Re: Watering in Summer/Drip Irrigation

interesting... 

David, Trevor, and Cheryl's approaches to drip and their experience are the same as mine.  

I too use the systems with in-line emitters so there are almost no parts to break off or fall apart.  I too wrap the smaller line around the base of smaller plants to ensure that they get what they need.  And I purchase them only at the commercial irrigation stores (and tell my students to do the same).

I cover the lines with mulch, but not so much as to make them hard to find (though sometimes a line will disappear under tree  leaf litter).  The sight of a drip line doesn't bother me - nor does it seem to bother my clients or students.  

I've taught a number of folks how to install and maintain these systems.  I preface it by saying that its like playing with giant tinker toys.  I've not had a single client complain about it - in fact, they tell me how easy it  is to use.  

With such carefully targeted irrigation, we have reduced water use significantly in all gardens.  And the lack of generalized watering has reduced the weed issue to almost nothing (unless there is remnant bermuda left in the ground - urrgh!!!).

I have had problems with irrigation controllers - "smart ones" and otherwise (Rainbird is about to introduce one that looks like it addresses many of the issues I've run up against).  

Tthere is a learning curve when it comes to clients and students accepting that the water needs to run for long periods of time - drip works on the scale of gallons per hour whereas overhead works on gallons per minute.   

Once they get the idea, and they get the idea of actually poking their fingers (or a soil probe) into the ground to see how deep the water has penetrated, it is like a revelation.   They love the idea of not having sprays of water shooting into the air, or streams of water sheeting over the sidewalk, or geysers shooting up when a head pops, or green gutters from the constant runoff.  

And if the plants need a dusting off mid-summer, that's what a hose-end oscillating sprinkler is for.  

Honestly, I've seen no downsides to this kind of drip except  if you have a lawn.  For lawns, I've yet to see a low pressure system that actually works.

Nan




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