What is Irrigation?
Irrigation is the replacement or supplementation of rain water with another source of water. The main idea behind irrigation systems is that your lawns and plants are maintained with the minimum amount of water required.
Water is a fragile natural resource and we have to incorporate methods to conserve it and not over use it. The implementation of an irrigation system will help conserve water, while saving you time, money, preventing weed growth and increasing the growth rate of your lawns, plants, crops and flowers.
TYPES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Ditch Irrigation
Ditch Irrigation is a rather traditional method, where ditches are dug out and seedlings are planted in rows. The plantings are watered by placing canals or furrows in between the rows of plants. Siphon tubes are used to move the water from the main ditch to the canals. This system of irrigation was once very popular in the USA, but most have been replaced with modern systems.
Terraced Irrigation
This is a very labor intensive method of irrigation where the land is cut into steps and supported by retaining walls. The flat areas are used for the planting and the idea is that the water flows down each step, while watering each plot. This allows steep land to be used for planting crops.
Drip Irrigation
This is known as the most water efficient method of irrigation. Water drops right near the root zone of a plant in a dripping motion. If the system is installed properly you can steadily reduce the loss of water through evaporation and runoff.
Sprinkler System
This is an irrigation system based on overhead sprinklers, sprays or guns, installed on permanent risers. You can also have the system buried underground and the sprinklers rise up when water pressure rises, which is a popular irrigation system for use on golf courses and parks.
Rotary Systems
This method of irrigation is best suited for larger areas, for the sprinklers can reach distances of up to 100 feet. The word “Rotary” is indicative of the mechanical driven sprinklers moving in a circular motion, hence reaching greater distances. This system water a larger area with small amounts of water over a longer period of time.
Center Pivot Irrigation
This is a form of overhead irrigation. Steel or aluminum pipes are joined together, supported by trusses, mounted on wheeled towers. The sprinklers are situated on the length of the tower and they move in a circular motion.
BENEFITS OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
We will now discuss some of the benefits associated with the installation of an automatic irrigation system for your landscape and the environment.
Saves Time
An automatic irrigation system will save you plenty of time that you in the past would have spent watering your lawns, gardens and flowers. You can now have your timers set, so that watering will take place at the times that best suits your landscape and the climate where you live. You can go on that holiday knowing that your lawns and flowers will be maintained and flourishing when you return.
Saves Money
With an automatic irrigation system there is no money or water wasted, for everything is timed, programmed and these systems all have rain sensors, so every drop of water is used when it is needed only.
Saves Water
Whatever type of irrigation system you install; there will definitely be a greater saving on water. You can help conserve water with automatic systems, for there is no wasting of water, every drop is used not wasted away. You can save between 30 and 50 percent of the water that you would normally use with other more conventional watering methods.
Improves Growth
When plants, crops, lawns or flowers are watered with smaller amounts of water over a longer period of time, they grow faster, for it is the ideal conditions for growth. You will enjoy greener and more luscious gardens and lawns.
Weed Reduction
You will notice a reduction in the amount of weeds appearing, this is due to the fact that those areas that need water are the only areas receiving water, with the implementation of a specifically designed irrigation system.
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