Also known as drip irrigation, drip watering is a process that makes it possible to provide a proper amount of moisture to plants, thus promoting proper growth. This example of micro-irrigation can be used to water houseplants as well as support the process of garden watering. Drip watering can even be used effectively to keep lawns green and lush.
The basics of drip watering involve creating an irrigation system that releases a small amount of water directly at the base of the plant. This is in contrast to other types of watering systems that involve sprayers or the use of irrigation channels that heap a large amounts of water on the plants. From this perspective, drip watering can be seen as one of the most efficient forms of irrigation, since it only releases water directly where it is needed the most.
A basic drip watering kit normally comes with sections of pipe that are punctured with a series of small holes. The pipe is connected to a water source, and a low-pressure flow of water is run through the assembled pipe. By running the pipe along the base of each of the plants, it is possible for a small amount of water to drip out of each of the punctures and soak into the ground directly above the plant roots. Increasing or decreasing the flow of water through the pipe system can control the pace of the dripping action.
However, it is relatively easy to create a drip watering system using an old water hose. By employing an ice pick to make small punctures in the body of the hose, it is possible to space the holes to match the spacing used for the plants in the garden. A cap is placed on one end of the device, which will help to create the pressure needed to expel the water through the holes. Once the end of the hose is attached to an outdoor spigot, the tap is turned on, allowing a small amount of water to flow through the hose. The low pressure allows the water to drip from the punctures and provide nourishment for the plants in a manner that is very similar to the more expensive drip watering kits.
There are a couple of key advantages to the use of a drip watering system. First, the system uses much less water than other types of irrigation systems. This translates into a more efficient use of a natural resource. At the same time, using less water means that the overall costs of maintaining the garden are decreased. Since this process is capable of producing as abundant a harvest as any other mode of irrigation, it is often a popular choice for both vegetable and flower gardens, as well as for general lawn watering.
